Flash flood warnings as heavy rain lashes North, East and South

The Meteorological Department issued an advisory today for residents in the North, Northeast, East, and South to brace for severe weather, citing risks of flash floods and forest runoff triggered by ongoing heavy downpours.

According to the department’s 24-hour forecast issued this morning, a monsoon trough is currently passing over the extreme north of Thailand and northern Laos, with a low-pressure cell along the coast of northern Vietnam. This system, combined with a moderate southwesterly monsoon sweeping across the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, will bring widespread thunderstorms and isolated heavy showers to several parts of the country.

People living in areas at risk, particularly those near waterways and on low-lying terrain, have been advised to remain alert to the dangers of accumulated rainfall.

Meanwhile, mariners are urged to exercise caution. Waves are expected to reach 1–2 metres in the Andaman Sea and about 1 metre in the Gulf of Thailand, surging past 2 metres during thunderstorms. They are strongly advised to avoid navigating on stormy areas.

The regional weather forecast for the 24 hours from 6am Saturday is as follows:

· North: Thunderstorms over 70% of the area with heavy rain in parts of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Nan, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun. Temperatures range from 23–25°C to 30–35°C.

· Northeast: Thunderstorms over 60% of the area with heavy rain in parts of Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum and Nakhon Ratchasima. Temperatures range from 23–26°C to 32–35°C.

· Central Plains: Thunderstorms over 60% of the area, mostly in Uthai Thani, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon. Temperatures range from 23–25°C to 33–35°C.

· East: Thunderstorms over 60% of the area with heavy downpours in Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Temperatures range from 23–27°C to 32–35°C.

· Southeast Coast: Thunderstorms over 60% of the area, primarily affecting Phetchaburi, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Temperatures range from 23–26°C to 32–35°C.

· Southwest Coast: Thunderstorms over 40% of the area with heavy rain in parts of Ranong, Krabi and Trang. Temperatures range from 23–26°C to 32–35°C.

· Bangkok and surrounding provinces: Thunderstorms over 70% of the area. Temperatures range from a minimum of 25–26°C to a maximum of 32–35°C.