Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda on Saturday ordered authorities to put natural disaster measures in place for strong winds, high waves and heavy downpours in seven southern provinces from Sunday to Tuesday due to the influence of the tropical storm Jangmi
Gen Anupong said the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Meteorological Department recently found the tropical storm Jangmi had weakened and moved across the Borneo island to Malaysia's coast. This would cause heavy downpours in the lower South of Thailand during Jan 4-6. There would be waves as high as 2-4 metres in the Gulf of Thailand, said the minister.
The seven southern provinces to be affected are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala and Satun.
Gen Anupong has told the Department of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the governors of the seven southern provinces to be on extra alert for natural disasters. Landslides and strong waves are expected during the period.
He also ordered provincial authorities to assign officials to closely monitor the situation around the clock and rapid response teams must be on standby to help evacuate people in areas at risk of flooding and landslides.
Chatchai Phromlert, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, on Saturday warned residents in the seven at-risk provinces to closely monitor weather forecasts and strictly abide by disaster warnings. Fishermen and all ships should proceed with caution when going out to sea.