Vamco readies parting shot at 9 provinces

Vamco readies parting shot at 9 provinces

Villagers in tambon Tubma in Muang district in Rayong province use boats for transport on Friday after flooding hit their villages. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Villagers in tambon Tubma in Muang district in Rayong province use boats for transport on Friday after flooding hit their villages. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

The Meteorological Department on Friday warned nine northern and central provinces of more heavy rain to come tonight before conditions return to normal later Saturday.

Rain was expected in Chiang Mai, Kabin Buri, Khamphaeng Phet, Lamphang, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Nayok. Prachin Buri and Tak, with some parts of those provinces experiencing downpours, the department said in its most recent statement on the storm moving toward Myanmar.

''The situation will return to normal tomorrow,'' it added.

A chance for rain in Bangkok has been reduced to about half of the capital region, according to the bureau.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department will not lower its guard despite the departure of the low-pressure system.

It urged officials in provinces vulnerable to flash-flooding and landslides to remain alert and warned fishermen in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea to keep their boats in port due to rough seas.

The storm has left many areas in chaos with Pattaya City, Chon Buri, Chanthaburi, Rayong and Phangnga hard hit by rains and floods.

Downgraded former tropical storm Vamco brought about floods in 15 provinces since Sunday and two provinces -- Chon Buri (including Pattaya) and Chumphon -- still are under disaster-zone declarations announced by the department in Bangkok. Rayong has put Muang and Ban Kai districts on the list as well.

Pol Sen Sgt Maj Chaoyong Dungklan of Bang Lamung police station told INN that traffic to and from Pattaya on Sukhumvit Road had returned to normal but some low-lying areas remained flooded. Flooding near the railway station, which was flooded on Thursday, was quickly receding, he added.

At least one person died after he was swept away by strong currents in Bang Lamung on Thursday and the body of Pallop Pukdee was found on Friday, Nong Phreu police said.

Highway Department director-general Chusak Gaywee warned drivers to avoid a bypass road in Rayong's Muang district and a section of Road 401 between Khao Tok and Phanom district in Phangnga as workers drained water from the surface of the two routes.

Three fishermen in Ban Laem district in Phetchaburi province are missing after a small fishing boat sank about 1.5 kilometres off the coast due to heavy rains and winds as it could not come back to the shore.

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