Thailand Issues Flood and Landslide Warning for 54 Provinces
Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has issued a flood and landslide alert for 54 provinces through September 7 as heavy rainfall from a monsoon trough threatens the North and Northeast.
Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned 54 provinces, including Bangkok, to prepare for possible flash floods, forest runoff, landslides and urban flooding from 4 to 7 September. DDPM Director-General Teerapat Katchamat said the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command has been monitoring weather conditions following a meteorological warning about heavy to very heavy rain in upper Thailand from 4 to 7 September.
The Meteorological Department said some areas, particularly in the North and upper Northeast, could experience heavy to very heavy rainfall as a monsoon trough moves across the North and upper Northeast. A moderate southwest monsoon is also prevailing over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
The 54 provinces under alert include 17 in the North (Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan and Uthai Thani), 20 in the Northeast (Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani), and 17 in the Central and eastern regions (Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Trat, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan and Bangkok).
Authorities have been instructed to closely monitor weather conditions, rainfall and water levels, while deploying response teams and disaster-relief machinery to vulnerable areas. Particular attention will be paid to areas receiving accumulated rainfall exceeding 90 millimetres within 24 hours. Temporary shelters with sufficient capacity are being prepared to accommodate potential evacuees. Natural attractions, particularly caves and waterfalls, must be closely monitored, with strict entry restrictions if dangerous conditions develop. The DDPM urges residents to follow official weather updates and disaster warnings and to prepare in advance if they live in high-risk areas.
