Heavy rain likely across Thailand until weekend

Meteorological Department urges public to follow official sources after online panic

Isolated heavy to very heavy rain is forecast over Thailand until Sunday, according to the Meteorological Department, which has urged people to follow weather updates from official sources after an online panic over a “great flood”.

An active low-pressure cell over Vietnam’s central coast is expected to move over the lower Northeast, East and Central Plains of Thailand, including Bangkok and vicinity, while the monsoon trough lies across upper Thailand, department director-general Sukanyanee Yavinchan said on Wednesday.

The southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf will also strengthen.

Accumulated rainfall during the period could cause flash floods, overflows and landslides, particularly along waterways near foothills and in low-lying areas.

Some provinces have experienced flooding on roads following continuous heavy downpours since Tuesday night.

According to the department, provinces at high risk of very heavy rain on Wednesday are Rayong, Chon Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Trat and Bangkok and vicinity.

The video below shows flooding on a bypass road after heavy downpours in Muang district of the eastern province of Rayong on Tuesday night.

In Bangkok, governor Chadchart Sittipunt said he had ordered officials to regularly inspect areas prone to flooding since last week, including Sena Nikhom in Chatuchak district and Ram Inthra in Khan Na Yao district.

Officials have been working to ensure that no garbage is blocking drainage channels, while maintenance crews have been instructed to remain on standby, Mr Chadchart said.

Heavy rain fell across the capital around noon on Wednesday, leaving some roads inundated. Motorists were advised to drive carefully.

As for water flowing down from the North, Mr Chadchart said the current flow rate was about 1,500 cubic metres per second, which was not considered critical. However, close monitoring of riverside communities has been ordered.

Online alarm

Many internet users in Thailand were concerned on Tuesday after the online page “Tee Lom Fah Ar-kat”, which independently forecasts weather, warned of a “great flood” and predicted heavy rain “all day and night” for 120 hours.

The Facebook page, which has over 800,000 followers, was temporarily taken down. The same page recently had to apologise for spreading misinformation about an influx of imported Chinese chickens.

Ms Sukanyanee said on Wednesday that it was encouraging to see the public taking an interest in weather forecasts and preparing for weather-related conditions.

While weather forecasts have been circulating through various online pages and channels, she stressed that the public should rely primarily on information issued by government agencies for weather warnings and hazard alerts.

This would help ensure consistent communication and reduce confusion or unnecessary panic caused by information that may differ from official sources, Ms Sukanyanee said.