People living in low-lying areas and close to natural waterways in 12 southern provinces of Thailand are being warned of possible flash flooding, from today (Monday) until Thursday, as a consequence of a strong low pressure cell in the southern part of the Bay of Bengal.
According to the National Water Command Centre, the 12 southern provinces at risk of flash floods are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Krabi, Phang-nga, Trang, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Relevant agencies have been instructed to monitor weather conditions closely, especially in areas where accumulated rainfall is more than 90mm in 24 hours and in flood-prone areas, and to adjust water management plans appropriately.
They are also to warn people in high-risk areas, where evacuation may be required.
Today, the Meteorological Department forecast more rain, with isolated heavy showers over the next 24 hours throughout Thailand.
It said that the southerly and south-easterly winds covering the lower part of the northern, central and eastern regions are intensifying, as the depression in the Bay of Bengal heads towards Myanmar and is forecast to make landfall on Tuesday.
Rough seas are predicted in the Andaman Sea, with waves between 2 and 3 metres in height and three metres in stormy areas, whereas, in the Gulf of Thailand, waves are 1 to 2 metres high.