Rain still an issue despite early arrival of winter season

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Chiang Mai – The Meteorological Department has forecast that the winter season is likely to arrive earlier this year but the north of Thailand will still experience rainy conditions due to the influence of a persisting monsoon system.

Provinces including Chiang Mai have been told to beware of continued rains that have already caused the Ping River to overflow into some of its riverbank communities. In Phayao province, Wat Sri Kom Kam has been inundated following stormy weather and a repair fund is being set up to restore the important religious site. Close to 200 households in the province’s Mae Sai sub-district have been hit by forest runoff with some areas under water over 150 centimeters deep. Soldiers, police and administrators are coordinating efforts to provide assistance.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is on alert for landslides in both the north and southern regions after weeks of rain. It has warned 13 provinces of possible erosion including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phuket.