Who's afraid of Gaemi? | Bangkok Post: learning

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By the time Gaemi reached Bangkok it had lost its winds and much of its rain, making it seem like an ordinary rainy season day.

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Umbrellas were all Bangkokians needed to get around yesterday after Gaemi dropped only moderate amounts of rain on the city. KOSOL NAKACHOL

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Gaemi passes over without feared floods

POST REPORTERS

By the time Gaemi reached Bangkok it had lost it storm winds, making this outdoor conversation quite pleasant. THITI WANNAMONTHA

Bangkok escaped severe torrential downpours after the much-hyped Gaemi storm, which was downgraded to a low pressure system, caused only moderate rainfall in the capital Monday.

Government agencies, however, will be on standby for possible flooding in the city's at-risk areas until tomorrow.

Average rainfall was measured at 60 millimetres in Bangkok Monday, well below the 90mm predicted earlier.

Rain fell on all 50 districts of Bangkok, with reports of minor flooding in some traffic lanes.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department yesterday reported that flooding is now affecting 40 districts in nine provinces, comprising Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Prakan.

Meteorological Department deputy director-general Somchai Baimuang said the low pressure cell was moving in a westerly direction toward Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi and finally the Andaman Sea.

There will be no storm surge as feared, he said, adding that normal weather is expected to return tomorrow.

Royol Chitradon, from the government's Water and Flood Management Commission, said the storm Phra Phiroon, which is forming east of the Philippines, would not affect Thailand.

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However, he said fishing boats are advised to proceed with caution and small boats should remain in port because of possible high waves.

Royal Irrigation Department director-general Lertviroj Kowatthana said Bhumibol and Sirikit dams should be at only 73% of their capacity when the rainy season ends later this month.

Less-than-expected rainfall from the Gaemi depression has prompted government agencies, especially in the Northeast, to begin considering reserving water in dams for the next dry season.

Piyachat Insawang, chief of disaster relief in Nakhon Ratchasima, said Gaemi had not brought much rain and the Lam Takhong reservoir in Sikhiu district now held only about 47% of its capacity.

Without additional inflow, she said, local people would suffer from drought.

moderate – neither very great nor very small in strength, size, amount or degree  ระดับปานกลาง
severe – very serious and worrying ที่รุนแรง ที่น่าเป็นห่วง
torrential – (of rain or moving water) extremely heavy ซึ่งไหลเชี่ยว
downpour – a lot of rain in a short time ฝนตกหนักมาก, พายุฝน
hype – to advertise or talk about something a lot and exaggerate  in order to get a lot of public attention ทำให้ตื่นเต้น, โฆษณาชวนเชื่อ
downgrade – to reduce someone or something to a lower rank or position, to reduce the strength of something ลดความสำคัญ,  ลดความรุนแรง
low pressure system – low pressure cell, an area where the pressure of the air is lower than that of the area surrounding it หย่อมความกดอากาศกำลังแรง
capital – the most important town or city of a country, usually where the central government operates from  เมืองหลวง
on standby – ready for use เตรียมพร้อม, สำรอง
at risk – in danger ตกอยู่ในความเสี่ยง
average – an amount calculated by adding several amounts together, finding a total, and dividing the total by the number of amounts เฉลี่ย, ค่าเฉลี่ย
predict – to say that an event or action will happen in the future, especially as a result of knowledge or experience คาดการณ์ว่า พยากรณ์จากสถิติว่า
minor – not important; small; having little influence or effect เล็กน้อย
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation – a department within the Ministry of the Interior in charge of making preparations for disasters, warning citizens of dangers and organising relief efforts when a disaster occurs กรมป้องกันและบรรเทาสาธารณภัย
comprise – to consist or be made up of two or more things ประกอบด้วย
Meteorological Department – the government department in charge of determining what the weather will be in the future กรมอุตุนิยมวิทยา
storm surge – a sudden increase in the height of waves in the sea during a storm น้ำทะเลหนุน
normal – typical, usual or ordinary; what you would expect ภาวะปกติ
commission – an official group of people who have been given responsibility to control something, or to find out about something, usually for the government  คณะกรรมการ, คณะกรรมาธิการ
form – to start to exist and develop; to make something start to exist and develop พัฒนาขึ้น, สร้างขึ้น
advise – to tell somebody what you think they should do in a particular situation แนะนำ, แจ้ง
proceed – to carry out an activity ดำเนินการ
caution – careful thought and lack of hurry in order to try to avoid risks or danger ความระมัดระวัง
port – an area of water where ships stop, including the buildings around it ท่าเรือ
Royal Irrigation Department – The Thai government department in charge of the country's irrigation system กรมชลประทาน
capacity – the total amount or number that can be handled or contained ปริมาณสูงสุดที่จะรับได้
depression – an area where the air pressure is low, often causing heavy rain พายุดีเปรสชัน
prompt – to cause someone to take action กระตุ้น
consider – to give careful thought to something before making a decision พิจารณา
reserve – to keep something currently not being used but that can be used when needed สำรองไว้
relief – money, food, medicine etc. that is given to help people in places where there has been a natural disaster, war, etc. เครื่องบรรเทาสาธารณภัย
reservoir – a natural or artificial lake where water is stored อ่างเก็บน้ำ
inflow – the movement of a liquid or of air into a place from somewhere else การไหลเข้า,  กระแสที่ไหลเข้ามา
local – in or related to the area that you live, or to the particular area that you are talking about  ท้องถิ่น
suffer – to be badly affected by a very difficult or unpleasant situation ประสบความลำบาก
drought – a long period of time when there is little or no water or rain ความแห้งแล้ง

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