Weather expert warns storm could hit Thailand after mid-October

A Thai weather expert has warned that Thailand may be directly in the path of a storm from the middle of next month, while another expert has urged authorities to strengthen embankments along the Chao Phraya River in central provinces.

Associate Professor Dr. Seri Suparatit, an expert at the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said that, although Thailand was spared a direct hit from Super Typhoon Yagi, which made landfall in Vietnam yesterday afternoon and which is now weakening to tropical storm, depression then a low pressure cell, it did cause heavy rainfall of up to 150mm/day in the northern and north-eastern provinces.

As a result, runoffs from the north are forecast to reach the central region at the end of this month, he said, as he urged authorities to make preparations to deal with the problem, especially in low-lying areas in the Chao Phraya River basin which are unprotected by embankments.

Referring to a weather simulation model, Dr. Seri warns that another storm may directly hit Thailand after October 15th.

Meanwhile, Chavalit Chantarat, a water expert at Team Group, said that Yagi has strengthened the monsoon trough looming over Thailand, bringing heavy rain.

According to a weather simulation model, there are currently 12 storms forming over the Pacific Ocean, nine of which have the potential to develop into typhoons.