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Hold på hat og briller !!


Predictions of typhoons are worrisome, says minister, tells public to monitor reports


A devastating storm like typhoons Gay and Linda could strike Thailand this year, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said yesterday.

"I’m quite concerned," he said, adding that the grim prediction was based on currently available information.

Agencies are closely monitoring developments and the public should keep abreast of weather updates, he said. "People will have to prepare necessary measures to deal with what may happen."

Wanchai Sak-udomchai, head of the weather bureau for the Southern provinces along the east coast, said a monsoon might hit the country late this month.

Torrential rains have washed out dozens of provinces in the past two months, resulting in 227 deaths, including 72 in the South.

Although flood waters have subsided in 35 provinces, up to 16 others remain inundated, affecting 928,237 people.

Rain a33;" if not heavy downpours a33;" continued in Southern provinces including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Chumphon.

"Although the rainfall is not as bad as weeks ago, we must stay vigilant," Wanchai said.

Mountains in the South, in particular, are waterlogged and more precipitation could trigger mudslides.

Many places, including Moo 7 of tambon Pak Mak in Surat Thani’s Chaiya district, have suffered landslides. More than 400 people there have taken shelter inside a school for four days.

Adichart Surinkham, spokesman for the Mineral Resources Department, said a team was examining a fissure along the Khao Luang mountain range in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Jaroon Payabarn, kamnan of tambon La-ai in the province’s Chawang district, said initial surveys by village heads and local hunters found that the crack was widening at a cliff.

"That cliff is about 1,000 metres [high]. If it collapses, huge damage can be expected," he said.

In 1989, Typhoon Gay formed in the Gulf of Thailand and caused significant damage in Chumphon province. In 1997, Typhoon Linda caused flooding and some deaths in Thailand after devastating parts of Vietnam; it was the worst storm to hit that country in a century.

http://www.nation...42422.html

Pen.

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Weather warning.

Flood-related death toll had risen to 255 on Friday, as the Meteorological Department warned more rain is expected in the South due to a strengthening northeast monsoon.

Director-general Wiboon Sanguapong of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said the flood situation in 42 provinces nationwide has eased and restoration work is now underway.

However, 26 districts of nine provinces remained under floodwaters in Kalasin, Roi Et, Ubon Ratchathani, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Surat Thani and Phatthalung.

Flooding which hit central and northeastern provinces from Oct 10 caused 177 deaths, while 78 deaths were confirmed in flash floods and landslides triggered by tropical storms in the southern region since Oct 30.

Weather forcasters said a ridge of intense high pressure from China now extends to upper Thailand and the South China Sea, and temperatures are likely to drop 1-3 degrees Celsius.

The Department said more rain is expected in the South due to the stronger northeast monsoon and a more pronounced cold front in the Gulf of Thailand, therefore all vessels should show caution during this period.

Neglet fra Bangkok Post : http://www.bangko...oll-at-255