May 2nd, 2007, 00:13
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
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