Tropical storm Soulik hits Nakhon Phanom

Main photo; File

Tropical storm Soulik hit Thailand’s northeastern provinces of Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan this morning, as it weakened into a tropical depression. The weather system brings with it heavy to very heavy rain, according to the Meteorological Department.

The tropical depression will move gradually westward across other north-eastern provinces, including Bueng Kan, Sakhon Nakhon, Kalasin, parts of Roi-et, Surin, Buri Ram, Maha Sarakham and Khon Kaen. Then it will reach the central region before further weakening into a low pressure cell.

Other provinces to be affected by the weather system include Nan, Lamphun, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Uttaradit, Sukhothai and Bangkok.

Nakhon Phanom was affected by Soulik since last night, resulting in continuous downpours throughout the night, but was expected to face a direct hit at about 7am this morning, said the department.

Nakhon Phanom Governor Wanchai Chanporn said today that people in areas at high risk of flooding have been warned in advance to prepare, while officials in charge of relief operations have been placed on standby, with manpower and equipment ready to help the public at short notice.

Rainfall in Nakhon Phanom yesterday, before the arrival of Soulik, was recorded as:

- 72.1mm in Mueang district

- 46.3mm in Tha Uthen district

- 44.5mm in Nenu Nakhon district

- 37.8mm in Wang Yang district

- 36.5mm in Na Kae district

According to a Facebook post by the spokesman for the Meteorological Department, Thanasith Iamananchai, tropical storm Soulik, packing wind speeds of 55kph at its centre, was in Khammouane province of Laos, about 100km from Nakhon Phanom, at 10pm last night and was heading west towards Thailand’s northeast.

Southern provinces on the eastern and western coasts and eastern provinces are also forecast to be lashed by torrential rain today, as a direct result of the intensifying monsoon trough.