Residents in 14 provinces in the central region, the East and the South have been told to brace for heavy rain and possible landslides in risk areas from today to Wednesday.
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chatchai Promlert said on Saturday a monsoon trough will lie across the lower Central Plains, the East and the upper South between Sept 26 and 30, causing heavy downpours that may trigger flash floods and landslides in some areas.
He asked the disaster prevention and mitigation offices in the 14 provinces to be on full alert to deal with possible flooding and landslides and to closely monitor the situation around the clock. Rapid deployment teams and necessary equipment must be put on standby to help affected residents.
The 14 provinces are: Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Nakhon Nayok, Chon Buri, Trat, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Ranong, Phangna, and Phuket.
Tropical storm Vamco, which caused heavy rain and flooding in the country from Sept 13, had affected 950 villages in 24 provinces across the country, said Mr Chatchai. Three people were killed and one injured in the flooding.
The situation in 23 provinces has returned to normal. Only two districts in Prachin Buri — Kabin Buri and Ban Sang districts — remained inundated, he said
The Meteorological Department on Saturday said the moderate southwest monsoon would be over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand for seven days.
It forecast there will be more rain the central region, the East and the South. Waves are expected to be as high as 2 metres in the Andaman Sea during the period.
All ships in the Andaman sea and the Gulf of Thailand were told to proceed with caution.