Vicente expected to lash the provinces

[admin]

Vicente expected to lash the provinces

People in the North, Northeast and East have been warned to be prepared for heavy rains and flash floods brought in by tropical storm Vicente. The Meteorological Department announced yesterday that Vicente was whipping up winds of 75kph near its centre after making landfall in the Vietnamese town of Dong Hoi yesterday at about 4pm. The storm was estimated to be about 80km east of Nakhon Phanom. The storm, which was moving in a westerly direction, was expected to arrive towards the north of the Northeast last night and was likely to cause widespread rain in northern, northeastern and eastern provinces.

The department predicted heavy rain, severe storms and flash floods in the provinces of Amnat Charoen, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kalasin, Loei, Mae Hong Son, Mukdahan, Nan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phrae, Sakon Nakhon, Roi-et, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Yasothon. Towering waves were also expected in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.

Suparerk Tansrirattanawong, director-general of the Meteorological Department, said Vicente would begin moving away from Thailand tomorrow. But the country could face more woes from another storm from the Philippines.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin expressed concern over the high level of water in the Chao Phraya as water was flowing down from the Chao Phraya dam at 1,800-2,000 cubic metres per second while Bangkok is only able to cope with 2,500 cubic metres per second. He will hold a meeting with Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana and the director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department today to discuss water management issues. Preparations have also been made to prepare for traffic problems which may be worsened by flooding and broken-down vehicles.

In Ayutthaya, the banks of the Chao Phraya overflowed to flood parts of Bang Ban, Phak Hai, Sena and Bang Sai districts. Somphit Arunwao, 46, from tambon Ban Kum in Bang Ban district, drowned as she tried to collect belongings stored under her home.

Deputy Interior Minister Somsak Pongpanich told 16 provinces in the North and Northeast to prepare flat-bottomed boats to take supplies to flood-hit areas.

[businessman]

The Mekong level is still falling here,but the local lakes are all full.