Tropical-storm warning

In the warning, issued yesterday afternoon, the centre said that a low-pressure cell across northern and upper northeastern Thailand, related to Goni in the Gulf of Tonkin, plus the strong southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea threatened torrential rain and isolated heavy rain in the North. It warned Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit and Phetchabun to brace for flash floods today and on Monday.

Chiang Mai Hydrological Division chief Weerawuth Pornratphan said the Water Resources Region 1 Office was watching Chiang Rai's Mae Saruay and Mae Chan river basins, Chiang Mai's Fang river basin and Tak's Mae Ramad river basin, which were low-lying areas with dense riverside populations. If rainfall exceeds 100 millimetres in 24 hours the office will alert provincial disaster-prevention and -mitigation offices to evacuate people to safer ground, he added.

In Chiang Rai's Mae Chan district, the downpours have triggered forest floods and overflowing of the Kham River inundating 2,000 houses and 3,000 rai of farmland since Friday.

The situation was reported to be getting back to normal yesterday. Tambon Janjava mayor Thanongsak Thongsaen and his team yesterday gave residents dry food and drinking water, while the Thai Red Cross Society's Princess Pa Foundation coordinator inspected the damage and contacted the local authorities for the delivery of 650 relief bags.

The disaster department yesterday also warned 11 provinces including Chiang Rai, Nan, Ranong, Phuket, Trang, and Satun of heavy rainfall.