Weather Warning

[thailandgr]

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry is urging people, especially children and the elderly, to keep warm, as temperatures in the North and Northeast dropped by a further 4 to 6 degrees Celsius yesterday. A total of 63 deaths have been reported in 27 provinces over the last three months due to the cold spell.

The Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Phitsanulok's Nakhon Thai district reported its lowest temperature in the last 20 years yesterday: -3 degrees Celsius.
With an average temperature of 5 degrees, the national park experienced up to two centimetres of thick frost, covering a three-kilometre stretch from the Political and Military School, stationed near the park's office, to Rong Khla Village.

At Chiang Mai's Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang, which recorded a temperature of -3 degrees Celsius, throngs of tourists enjoyed the chilly weather and plants such as wild Himalayan cherry blossom.
There were similar scenes at Doi Inthanon National Park where guesthouses were fully booked until early February.
Temperatures there were recorded at -1 degree Celsius.

Loei's 14 districts also suffered from the cold spell, especially Phu Reu district, which reported temperatures of between -4 to -2 degree Celsius in highland areas.

Disease Control Department chief Dr Sopon Mekthon said 45 provinces had been declared disaster zones, affecting 25 million people.
The 63 deaths from the cold spell were recorded between October 22 and January 19. Fifty-nine of the fatalities were Thai, while one was Cambodian, one Laotian, one British and one of unknown nationality.
Public Health Ministry permanent secretary, Dr Narong Sahametapat, said heavy drinkers and people with chronic illnesses were most at risk.

[halfway inn]

WEATHER

Rough winds hamper rescue efforts in Gulf of Thailand



Rough weather in the Gulf of Thailand is thwarting attempts to re-float an oil tanker that ran aground on January 9.

SONGKHLA: -- A sand-suction boat was deployed to create a water channel on the beach to allow the oil tanker Orapin 4 to move back to sea off Songkhla.

However, the operation came to a temporary halt as the sand-suction boat was forced to take shelter at Nu Island amid strong winds.

The Meteorological Department has forecast rough seas in the area until Sunday.



the nation(19-02-2014)

[halfway inn]

GREAT NATURAL PHENOMENON IN LOEI PROVINCE





Local officials and residents of Phu Rua district of Loei began to inspect the damages, clean downed trees, power poles, shattered glasses, roof bricks and other debris Monday after the worst ever fierce hailstorm Sunday afternoon.

Initial reports said more than 200 houses, cars and property at Ban Santom and Ban Saensook in Phu Rua were destroyed after the worst ever hailstorm in 30 years ravaged the areas for half an hour.

The golf-ball size hails started falling after 30 minutes of torrential rainstorm on Sunday at 2.00 p.m..

The main road from Phu Rua to Muang Loei and all roads in the villages were blanked with white hail stones as if they were covered by snow. All temple, school, and house roofs were turned white with the hails.

Soon after the hailstorm passed, Phu Rua district officers, volunteers, village headmen went out to inspect damages in order to provide primary relief aids to affected people.

Sirimarn Sriburin, a manager at Chachanat Woodland in Phu Rua, said the incident caused a power outage for hours and the temperature in the district was measured at about 14 degrees Celsius.

Traffic from Phu Rua and Muang Loei was also reported to be snarling throughout the one kilometer stretch from Ban Santom school to the highway office when people stopped their cars to have photos of the rare phenomenon where all surrounding areas were turned white with hailstone as if they were covered by snow.

Tourists visiting Phu Rua said they have never seen such a great phenomenon with all surrounding blanketing with hail stones.

They said that although hailstorm in Phu Rua was not a rare natural phenomenon, but this time it was not the same because it covered more areas and more fierce than past hailstorms.

Four hours after the hailstorm, the same villages were also hit by torrential rains, causing flash floods inundating homes, palm tree plantations and flower gardens of the villagers.

Phu Rua district chief Boonterm Renumas said he had instructed village chiefs and officials to promptly help people affected by the hailstorm, clear roads and assess the damage.



thai pbs

[halfway inn]

PHUKET WEATHER

More rain for Phuket this week



PHUKET: More rain is on the way to Phuket this coming week after parts of the island saw brief showers on Saturday evening (March 22), according to the Thai Meteorological Department.

With the threat of water shortages after a long dry season, the rainfall finally makes it reappearance on the island.

Thunder showers are expected to hit Phuket sometime today, TMD.com reports, with more planned for the middle of the week.

According to the TMD, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will see thunder showers as well.



Phuket News 23-03-2014

[halfway inn]

NORTHEAST ISSAN WEATHER

Northeastern Thailand swept by another storm.



17 April 2014 (NNT) Thailand’s northeastern provinces have been struck by another summer storm, causing damage to houses and public utilities.

Non Sa-at District in Udon Thani Province was hit hard by another storm, the fifth one this month.

Twenty power line poles have collapsed onto a restaurant and a resort, while houses and other public utilities were heavily damaged by the strong wind.

However, there were no reports of injuries.

As for Bueng Kan Province, a storm swept the entire area of Ho Kham Sub-district and ravaged 200 houses, damaging household and electrical appliances.

As of now, authorities are assessing the damage and assisting the victims.

Meanwhile, in Phitsanulok Province, forty soldiers from the Naresuan Maharat Military Camp are helping residents fix their houses that were destroyed by a storm on April 14.



NNT

[halfway inn]

WARNING: HEATWAVES & TROPICAL STORMS

Tropical storms set to batter Thailand

BANGKOK: Meteorological Department has today issued a nationwide heat and tropical storm warning.

Meteorological Department warned on Monday of strong winds, thundershowers and high temperatures throughout the country.

The heatwave would continue to affect the upper region while the southeast wind bringing humidity from the South China sea would become stronger.

The department warned people to be cautious in the strong winds.



the nation (21-04-2014)

[halfway inn]

HEAVY RAIN STORMS


Warning of danger from more heavy rain storms at weekend





BANGKOK: 25-04-2014

Torrential rains, hails and destructive winds are expected at all regions of the country except the South from Saturday until Tuesday, the Meteorological Department warned Friday.

It urged people to prepare for the rains, winds, and hails as a high pressure mass over central China is moving down and expect to blanket the Northeast of Thailand by Saturday and later could extend to the North, Central and East regions.

Impact from the high pressure will continue until Tuesday.

It will cause intense storms and possibly hail, beginning in the Northeast Saturday.

Earlier on Thursday, torrential rainstorm hit two districts, Bang Pahan and Nakhon Luang, of Ayutthaya province causing damage to houses, roadside small shops, billboards, trees and more than 50 power poles.



thai pbs (25-04-2014)

[Oytopikos]

Thunderstorms are expected across all regions of Thailand as monsoons are rolling in from the Southwest.

The Meteorological Department reported that during June 3-5, southwesterly winds will prevail over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, bringing rain to nearly all parts of the country.

Most Southern provinces including Surat Thani, Yala, Phuket and Phatthalung will be hit by rain storms. Strong winds in the Andaman Sea are expected to generate waves up to 2-meters high.

Parts of Bangkok and its vicinity will experience rain showers, with the average temperatures continuing to rise.

Thailand’s rainy season is now expected to begin in early June after the onset was delayed from Mid-May.


-- NNT 2014-06-02

[Oytopikos]

Meteorological Department warns of heavy rains in the next 1-2 days

BANGKOK, 14 July 2014 (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has forecasted that heavy rains are set to strike across Thailand in the next 1-2 days. Meanwhile, in Nakhon Phanom Province, locals are facing trouble in their travelling after flash floods have destroyed a bridge in their locality.

Flash floods have eroded the footing of a bridge over a creek in Si Songkhram District, Nakhon Phanom province. The concrete bridge measures 50 meters long and around 8 meters wide. The flood waters have softened the soil surface near the bridge’s pillars, making it on the brink of collapse.

Locals have placed several sandbags around the area to obstruct the flow of water and to save the bridge. The road leading to the bridge is set to be closed temporarily if rains and strong currents continue, to reduce the likelihood of accidents.

In Satun province, strong waves have prevented locals from going into the sea. Fishermen are only able to set sail along the seashore using small boats to catch fish.

The Meteorological Department also reported that the southwestern monsoon covering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand coupled with a low pressure cell covering northern region of Vietnam are set to cause heavy rains across the country.

Waves in the Andaman Sea are expected to reach 2 meters high. Fishermen and boat operators are advised to take caution before setting sail.

 


-- NNT 2014-07-14

[halfway inn]

FLOODING ALERT

Thailand on alert for flooding


 
Thais in many provinces braced themselves for flooding due to persistent rains while the Meteorological Department warned of heavy downpours in some areas in the next few days.

Floods already receded in the southern province of Ranong but rains resumed and continued for some hours on Monday.

Concerned authorities were watching out for possible runoffs, landslides and forceful waves.

In the southern province of Trang powerful waves that were over three meters high hit four coastal districts for three days.

Damage was expanding due to combined caused along the coast over a distance of about 25 kilometers from Hat Pak Meng beach to Hat Yao beach.

Marine tourism in Trang was consequently halted as all boats were unable to leave the shore.

Strong waves also damaged a two-kilometre embankment section of Nopparattara Beach in Krabi province.

Seaside shops and homes were evacuated.

In the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom, villagers and soldiers piled up sandbags to protect the foundations of a bridge across Huai Ela stream in Si Songkhram subdistrict.

The bridge links Si Songkhram and Na Kham subdistricts.

In the northern province of Chiang Mai, recent runoff damaged bridges and road sections in Chai Prakan district.

Most of the water was moving toward Fang and Mae Ai districts.

The Meteorological Department warns of heavy downpours in some areas of the upper North, the Northeast, the East and the western part of the South.

It also forecasts two-metre waves in the Andaman Sea.


TNN (15 July 2014)

[Oytopikos]

The flood situation in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya remains critical with hundreds of homes inundated, while a flash flood hit Chiang Rai's Muang and Mae Sai districts yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, ML Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who resumed as Bangkok governor after the Court of Election Appeals dismissed an election fraud charge against him, yesterday checked progress of the city's flood-prevention measures.

In Sukhothai, which has five districts declared as flood disaster zones, the situation remained critical yesterday, especially in Sri Samrong and Muang districts. The Yom River, taking in northern run-off at 1,400 cubic metres per second, continued to rise, while a 100-metre section of a flood wall in tambon Pak Kwae in Muang district broke and many areas of this tambon were under two-metres of water. Troops on flat-bottom boats helped evacuate residents at risk in Sri Samrong to safer ground.

The situation looked unlikely to improve this weekend, as the Meteorological Department said a strong monsoon trough covering the upper part of Thailand would remain there.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Chatchai Phromloet said that the state had put flood-mitigation measures in place and he was confident the disastrous floods of 2010 would not be repeated this year.

Many farmers in water-retention areas in Bang Ban district in Ayutthaya hastily harvested their rice paddy in a bid to prevent more flood damage by northern run-off, Tambon Bang Ban Mayor Chukiat Boonmee said.

Farmer Phang Khunwan, 51, whose rice crop was not yet ripe, said he harvested the paddy out of fear that all would be lost.

In Phachi and Uthai districts, villagers lamented that off-season rice paddy in flood-hit fields would be ruined if the situation didn't improve within five days.

In Uttaradit's Tha Pla district, 80 homes and farmland near Huay Nam Mhan canal were flooded by forest run-off yesterday.

Strong torrents destroyed a bridge, a spillway and brought down several power poles, which led to a blackout in six villages in tambon Nam Mhan. This prompted residents to prepare to evacuate, as it brought back memories of a flood in 2006 when the area was also hit by a landslide.

In Angthong's Pa Moke district, flood-prone tambon Phong Pheng has again been inundated, affecting 3,000 villagers. A flood aid centre was opened yesterday, with some 200 police, Army and provincial administrators, 20 flat-bottom boats, and four Humvees deployed to assist people hit by the flood.

Up North, residents and business owners in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district moved belongings to higher ground after parts of the Thai-Myanmar border, especially the Tambon Mae Sai municipality, was hit by a 30cm flood. A flash flood also caused inundation in many parts of Muang district.

In Bangkok, BMA Department of Drainage and Sewerage director Adisak Khantee reported to Sukhumbhand that the city would have heavy rain in several areas over the weekend, while seasonal seawater inflows were expected at the end of the month.

Adisak said the city had prepared to handle the situation with 166 water pump stations, 217 sluice gates, and seven drainage tunnels.

He said city workers had cleared almost 100 per cent of waterways and sewage pipes. A total of 520 water pumps were installed at flood-prone spots, while staff at relevant facilities were on alert.

Sukhumbhand said the situation was not worrisome because the Bhumibol, Sirikit and Pa Sak Jolasid dams were still at 30-40 per cent capacity. However, he urged Adisak's office to monitor the rainfall in order to handle any flooding in a timely manner. He said the city, being more equipped than the Highway Department and the Rural Roads Department, had received the National Council for Peace and Order's permission to handle Bangkok's flood-hit roads.

Sukhumbhand later inspected the Bang Sue tunnel, which is under construction and slated for completion in September 2016. He said the Bt2.4 billion, 5.4m-wide tunnel, which can drain water into the Chao Phraya River at 60 cubic metres per second, would help prevent flooding in Chatuchak, Bang Sue, Huai Khwang, Ratchathewi, Phaya Thai and Lat Phrao.

The Royal Irrigation Department urged residents in low-lying areas near the Chao Phraya who are outside flood barriers, to brace for flooding due to rising water levels.

the Nation

[Oytopikos]

BANGKOK, 6 October 2014 (NNT) - Temperatures in the North and Northeast are expected to drop by 3-5 degrees Celsius during the next one or two days ahead, whereas temperatures atop the mountains have already plummeted as much as 20 degrees Celsius.

Heavy fog has blanketed parts of Nan province during the morning, prompting commuters to be extra cautious when traveling. The lowest ground-level temperature in the province has reached 22 degrees Celsius by today, whereas the average temperature on top of the mountains are somewhere between 17-18 degrees Celsius.

Tourists traveling to national parks situated atop the mountains are advised to prepare themselves with proper clothing and carefully study their routes before traveling to such areas.

Elsewhere in Loei province, a thick layer of fog has covered many parts of the roads. Locals and tourists have been warned to be extra cautious, as the fog has reduced the visibility level to less than 100 meters.

The Meteorological Department has reported that from October 6-11, a strong high pressure cell coming in from China is set to cover parts of the North and Northeast. Gusty winds and thunderstorms are expected to follow as a result of this phenomenon.

A monsoon trough coming in from the South will also cause increased rainfall in the southern region and heavy rains in some areas.

[halfway inn]

STORM WARNING

Storm warning for upper Thailand

Monday, 20 April 2015

Summer thunderstorms, gusty winds and some hail are expected over the Northeast during April 21-23 with another rather strong high pressure system covering southern China expected to reach Thailand's upper Northeast tomorrow, the Meteorological Department said on Monday.

The North, Central and eastern part of Thailand will be similarly affected during April 22-25.

People are advised to be prepared for severe weather conditions and keep away from unstable buildings and structures.

[halfway inn]

STORMS IN NE PROVINCES

04 May 2015

Storms wreak havoc in NE provinces


The 100-year-old wooden building at Wat Sawang Phosri destroyed by a storm in Nong Rua district of Khon Kaen.

Summer storms on Sunday night wreaked havoc in several provinces of the Northeast, notably Khon Kaen, Surin and Nakhon Ratchasima, causing damage to more than 200 houses & public utilities.

In Khon Kaen province, a storm struck Ban Nong Waeng of Tambon Yang Kham in Nong Rua district early on Sunday night.

More than 100 houses in the village were damaged, mostly with corrugated roofing sheets being blown away by strong winds.

A 100-year-old wooden building used for religious activities at Wat Sawang Phosri collapsed, injuring two monks.  They were admitted to Nong Rua Hospital.

At nearby Yang Kham village, the storm brought down a monk's quarters and one payung tree.  Seven houses in the village were also damaged.

In Surin, 30 houses in Tani and Lao Kachat villages in Prasat district were damaged by a storm.  Many trees and power poles were also brought down, causing a blackout.

Saphan Han village in the same district was also hit by the storm that blew away the roofs of 20 houses.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, a strong rainstorm lashed Nong Sawe village in Tambon Bot of Phimai district early on Sunday night, damaging more than 100 houses.

Officials from the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office went to the village on Monday morning to examine the damage and distribute relief items.

Severe squalls were also reported in neighboring Buri Ram province, causing minor damage and localized power blackouts.

[Oytopikos]

Heavy rain forecast in most parts of Thailand until Sunday

BANGKOK, 8 September 2015 (NNT)-Many parts of Thailand will experience rainfall up until the weekend as a monsoon trough moves across the North and North East of Thailand.

The Meteorology Department, reports that residents of Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak and Kampangpetch provinces have been told to brace themselves for heavy rain this week. The temperature is still expected to reach a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius during the day.

It will also rain in 30% of the North East particularly in Loei, Sakhon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Buriram and Surin. However, only 20% of the Central Plains, including Bangkok, and the East will experience precipitation.

Heavy rain has also been forecast in the southern provinces of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

— NNT 2015-09-08