Thailand’s Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain warning for 9–13 October, with Bangkok and surrounding areas affected from 10–12 October.
The advisory, issued at 5am on 7 October, forecasts thunderstorms, strong gusts, hail and locally very heavy rainfall.
Bangkok affected from 10 October
The weather will first affect the lower Northeast and South on 9 October. It will spread to the lower North, Central Thailand, Bangkok and the East on 10 October.
By 12 October, the affected areas will mainly be lower Central Thailand, including Bangkok, and the South. On 13 October, the warning covers the South.
The department warns that heavy and accumulated rainfall could cause flash floods, overflowing waterways and landslides, particularly near foothills and in low-lying areas.
High water levels add to concerns
The warning comes as waterways north of Bangkok are already running high. Official readings on 7 October placed the Rangsit canal pumping station in Pathum Thani just below its critical water-level threshold.
Reservoir releases are also part of the wider situation. On 5 October, the Royal Irrigation Department said it had increased releases from the full Pa Sak Jolasid reservoir to make room for further inflows.
However, the department announced a reduction in discharge through the Chao Phraya Dam on 7 October, from 2,500 to 2,400 cubic metres per second by 1pm, as upstream flows eased.
Warning for boats
Waves could exceed two metres during thunderstorms in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Boats should proceed cautiously and avoid thunderstorms.
Source: Thai Meteorological Department, Royal Irrigation Department, Public Relations Department and Bangkok water-level monitoring
