Disaster Office Issues Thunderstorm, Landslide Warning For 18 Provinces

[george 2,896]

Disaster office issues thunderstorm, landslide warning for 18 provinces

A Thai MET weather map showing the low-pressure system

in the South China Sea heading into Thailand at 7am today.

Image: Thai Meteorological Dept

PHUKET: -- The Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Viboon Sanguanpong, today issued a warning for 18 provinces ahead of expected heavy thunderstorms.

The warning urged people to exercise extra caution tomorrow as heavy rains could cause flash flooding, strong winds, and landslides.

The warning was likely issued ahead of a low-pressure system from the South China Sea making landfall and crossing into Thailand today.

In addition to Phuket, the alert was issued for Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Trang provinces as well as Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun and Uttaradit.

Mr Viboon advised people living in risk areas to secure loose agricultural, garden and yard items as well as anything else that might “blow away or be damaged”.

He reminded people there were many disaster warning signs to look out for, such as water in streams changing color to match mountain soil, which is often a warning of an impending flash flood.

Other warning signs he noted included panicked animal cries and calls coming from the forest, rainfall lasting longer than six hours; rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters and river water levels rapidly rising.

Small trees and logs flowing downstream were also identified as possible warnings of natural disasters, he noted.

Despite the DDPM alert, the Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast) of the Meteorological Department, based in Phuket, gave as its 24-hour forecast from 5pm today as only scattered thundershowers covering about 30% of the southern region’s west coast, with Phuket and Krabi expected at only 10%.

According to the Phuket MET’s forecast, winds are expected to be between 10 to 35kph, and wave heights one meter high, rising to two meters in thunderstorm areas.

In the event of disaster, people are urged to call the 24-hour “disaster line” Tel: 1784.

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-05-03

[george 2,896]

Current conditions and weather forecast, province by province:

http://weather.thaivisa.com

[Junglejumbo 0]

I have a boat trip to the Similians on Thursday but I think a one metre wave is not so much.

[Arandora 142]

I thought the Similans were closed now until November?

[hmj 53]

"He reminded people there were many disaster warning signs to look out for, ... panicked animal cries and calls coming from the forest, ..."

Mr Viboon Sanguanpong does not seem to know that there are no animals left in the forests of northern Thailand, except domestic cows. At this moment the cows have not been moved to the mountains yet.

[Beetlejuice 5,710]

"He reminded people there were many disaster warning signs to look out for, ... panicked animal cries and calls coming from the forest, ..."

Mr Viboon Sanguanpong does not seem to know that there are no animals left in the forests of northern Thailand, except domestic cows. At this moment the cows have not been moved to the mountains yet.

Panicked animal cries and calls coming from the forest?

We hear this all the time down our way.

This is mostly some of the lads having a sex and drugged fuelled rave with some of the local lasses.

[aonangmrhuw 39]

Not tonight, clear sky's aloft.........

[Arkady 3,442]

I thought the Similans were closed now until November?

Yes, they have just closed the Similans a few days early due to 5 metre waves. My wife just came back from a trip to the South that was supposed to include a trip to the Similans on Saturday that was cancelled after she already arrived in Phuket.

[sydneyjed 303]

Believe me one metre isn't comfortable especially if you aren't used to boats...Will be surprised if the skipper sails in them conditions!

I have a boat trip to the Similians on Thursday but I think a one metre wave is not so much.

[Mosha 5,343]

Small logs floating down stream lol. We get that on a weekly basis in the monsoon season. Sometimes daily, as the small stream behind the house becomes a raging torrent.

[stevehaigh 640]

nothing on windguru about it

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=310

interesting to see who is right

[PhuketBlogger 4]

I thought the Similans were closed now until November?

Yes, they have just closed the Similans a few days early due to 5 metre waves. My wife just came back from a trip to the South that was supposed to include a trip to the Similans on Saturday that was cancelled after she already arrived in Phuket.

Similan Islands are officially closed but several operators still run into May. There are certainly no 5 meter waves. Dive conditions are still very nice at the moment. Looks like today will be hot and sunny with some rain, which is the normal weather just at the time of year when seasons are switching. Wind doesn't know which way to blow this week... by next week I think we'll have a real SW wind blowing.

[meelousee 1]

Some comments seem to me to be a bit nonchalant or a little ho-hum

I would like to say that by the weather map provided the isobars are quite close together showing a potential violent storm a clash of warm wet air with high clouds with cool wet air.

I grew up in the country 50 miles to the closest town and learned early to read the weather with out a TV

1. Halo around the sun rain within 24 hours

2, Red ant mounds being built in a cone shape 3 or 4 inches higher than normal rain in 12 hours or less

3. Many Ant colonies moving away from streams of rivers rain in 8 hours or less.

4. If you keep animals in a shelter look at the rafters or ceilings if there are an unusual clusters of common house flies rain in 4hours or less.

5. If you have cows nearby they will all be facing the same direction, they turn their backs to approaching rain storms. Rain imminent with in the hour.

Falash flood ? If you live in the country side you will smell it, it has a scent of fresh dirt,

Now back to the map look again the whole line is noted to be stalled or slow moving a high potential for flooding.

Small logs, stream changing color too dang late to run look for higher ground.

Last word do not be complacent about rain storms this year be over cautious in the past 4 months there have been major floods in Indonesia, Philippines, Australia and China. This La Nina spring weather has been unusually violent. 27 Major tornadoes in America and a twin water spout in Hawaii today. :jap:

[kutjebu 77]

Official closed and still not closed??????Thai style.

I thought the Similans were closed now until November?

Yes, they have just closed the Similans a few days early due to 5 metre waves. My wife just came back from a trip to the South that was supposed to include a trip to the Similans on Saturday that was cancelled after she already arrived in Phuket.

Similan Islands are officially closed but several operators still run into May. There are certainly no 5 meter waves. Dive conditions are still very nice at the moment. Looks like today will be hot and sunny with some rain, which is the normal weather just at the time of year when seasons are switching. Wind doesn't know which way to blow this week... by next week I think we'll have a real SW wind blowing.

[a99az 409]

Really, well lets hope the one meter wave you get is not to close to the next one meter wave. In deep water with a long swell one meter is nothing. But inshore that one meter wave is a different animal, it can be very unpleasant.

I have a boat trip to the Similians on Thursday but I think a one metre wave is not so much.

And just to add one meter is measured from the middle of the troff. Edited May 4, 2011 by a99az