Worst storm in 46 years set to strike

Worst storm in 46 years set to strike - The Nation

The Meteorological Depart-ment yesterday warned upper-southern provinces to be prepared for a tropical depression that would bring the heaviest rainfall in 46 years.

Chief Supareuk Tansriratana-wong said an active low-pressure area in the Gulf of Thailand had gathered strength to become a tropical depression by yesterday afternoon. He warned it would cause very heavy rain similar to that experienced in May 1961.

The depression was due to hit land between Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon at 8pm last night. Residents of the two provinces were warned to be on alert for flash-floods, especially in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Bang Saphan, Bang Saphan Noi and Thap Sakae districts and Chumphon for the next few days.

In addition, Bangkok and the provinces of Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, Phetchaburi, Ranong and Phang Nga were put on alert for flooding.

Supareuk said the Tanaosi Mountain Range in Prachuap Khiri Khan had yielded reddish water, indicating heavy rainfall could cause floods in the lower surrounding areas.

He urged owners of small boats not to leave harbour and captains of bigger vessels to be cautious until tomorrow as high waves would hit the upper Gulf of Thailand.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Anucha Mokawet urged governors of 25 provinces to prepare for heavy rain, floods, strong winds, landslides and high waves.

Meanwhile, a six-tonne rock crushed a 32-year-old cook to death in Trang province's Palian district yesterday morning. Police rushed to the Excite Resort on Koh Lao Liang to find Pratheep Chitjaidiew, 32, underneath the rock, which fell on the kitchen.

With the stormy weather expected to linger for a few days and the rainy season approaching, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosa-yodhin yesterday met with agencies to discuss flood measures, especially for the city's 14 major flood-prone areas and 300 other spots with chronic flooding problems.

Apirak sai Bang Khunthien district had the most rainfall, at 97.5 millimetres from Monday until yesterday morning.

The Nation

Floods hit southern Thailand, foreigner dies

PRACHUAB KHIRI KAN: -- A foreigner was found dead and one injured from strong waves at Hat Rin in Surat Thani province where the famous full moon party is regularly held.

Meanwhile, the upper southern province of Prachuab Khiri Khan was hit by flooding after tropical depression brought strong rain to the southern provinces, leading the authorities to initiate evacuation procedures for villagers in at-risk areas.

The depression over the Gulf of Thailand especially impacted Prachuab Khiri Khan and the nearby by province of Chumphon Tuesday night, bringing heavy rain, throughout the province, especially Bang Saphan district. Nopakhun sub-district and Pong Pra Sat were hit by flooding, as was the Nong Hassatai-Fai Tha Road and a kindergarten at Bang Sapan.

Bang Sapan canal overflowed, as its drainoff capacity was inadequate to carry away the excessive rainfall into the sea, and local authorities feared more severe floods could hit Bang Sapan district. At Bang Saphan Hospital, airmen from Wing 5 at the Prachuab Khiri Khan Air Force Base rushed to build sandbag dykes to protect the hospital from possible flooding.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Kamnert Noppakhun subdistrict warned local residents to prepare for evacuation if the water level continued to rise.

At Chumphon, rain fell throughout the night but no flash flooding was reported, but Governor Pinai Anantapong ordered provincial emergency services to be on a round- the-clock alert and prepared for possible evacuation in case of emergency.

Small craft were recommend to not put to sea, as high waves made fishing or ferrying passengers too risky.

Surat Thani reported some flooding but not at critical levels.

However, a foreigner was found dead and one injured from strong waves at Hat Rin where the famous full moon party was regularly held.

Marine Police prohibited regular ferry boat services to Koh Samui, Koh Pa-ngan and Kho Tao until the storm has passed.

--TNA 2007-05-02