Authorities in 16 provinces have been placed on full alert until Monday as a low-pressure system moves in over the Gulf of Thailand and the lower South.
Fishing trawlers in Songkhla have stopped going out to sea and staff of offshore oil drilling platforms in the Gulf of Thailand have been evacuated due to strong winds. (Photo by Vichayant Boonchote)
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda has ordered governors of 16 at-risk provinces to put measures in place to deal with sudden floods, river overflows, forest run-off, mudslides and strong waves, the National News Bureau reported on Saturday.
The 16 provinces include the two lower central provinces of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan and 14 southern provinces: Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Satun.
The Meteorological Departments said the low-pressure system moving across the Gulf of Thailand and lower southern provinces would reach the Andaman Sea near Phuket on Sunday. It will bring heavy downpours and strong winds in those provinces from Saturday to Monday.
Gen Anupong has ordered provincial authorities in flood-prone areas to monitor conditions and to have rapid deployment teams on standby to help flood victims, particularly those living along rivers and near mountains.
The minister has also ordered inspections of dams, reservoirs and floodwalls to make sure that their structures are strong enough. Any natural tourist attractions must be closed immediately if any weakness or flood risk is found.
In Songkhla, many fishing trawlers and cargo vessels began returning to a port on Saturday due to strong winds in the Gulf of Thailand. Authorities have asked trawler operators to remain ashore for at least three days until conditions return to normal.
The Songkhla Fisheries Association issued a radio advisory to members who were unable to return to shore during the strong winds to take refuge near islets for their own safety.
Workers on offshore oil drilling platforms in the Gulf of Thailand are also being evacuated because of high winds.