A storm warning is in force for 58 provinces through Saturday, with the possibility of flash floods, runoff and landslides, caused by tropical storm Bebinca, which is moving towards upper Vietnam and Laos.
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation chief Chayaphol Thitisak said on Wednesday the department was closely monitoring weather conditions, accumulated rain volume, water sources and risk factors.
This was coupled with the Meteorological Department’s latest warning that tropical storm Bebinca would trigger heavy rain in the North and the Northeast from Wednesday to Saturday. Strong winds and high seas were forecast for the Gulf and Andaman Sea.
As a consequence, 58 provinces across the country had been ordered on full alert for natural disasters, he said.
Three southern provinces - Surat Thani, Ranong and Phangnga - were warned to brace for landslides. Other provinces in the North, Northeast, Central Plains and the South could expect heavy rain that might trigger flooding and landslides, said Mr Chayaphol.
The Meteorological Department at noon on Wednesday said tropical storm Bebinca was over the South China Sea and expected to move over upper Vietnam and into Laos on Aug 16-17. Continuous rain and isolated torrential downpours are likely in the Northeast and the North. Flash floods were possible in at-risk areas.
The strong southwest monsoon still prevails over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Strong wind waves of 2-4 metres were expected in the Andaman Sea, rising above 4 metres high during thundershowers, and 2-3 metres high in the upper Gulf.
All ships should proceed with caution, and small boats should remain ashore.
In Sakon Nakhon, the discharge rate has been accelerated at Nam Un dam, which is now above 100% of its safe manageable capacity, to accommodate further expected rainfall.
About 2 million cubic metres of water flowed into the dam on Wednesday, an irrigation official said.
With the influence of Bebinca now moving into the area it was necessary to up the discharge rate to about 2 million cubic metres per day through the spillway and irrigation canals.
Heavy rain is expected in the province on Aug 16-17.
The weather office in the upper Northeast on Wednesday warned residents along the banks of the Mekong to brace for river overflow. They were urged to closely monitor weather forecasts.
The Nam Un dam in Sakon Nakon. (Photo by Pratuan Kajonvuthinun)