Storm Wipha is a depression in Laos
Sukanyanee Yawinchan, director-general of the department, said early Wednesday morning that the storm was located in Xiang Khouang province of Laos at 4am with the top windspeed of 55 kilometres per hour near its eye.
The storm was moving at 25kph northwestwards and would become a low-pressure area, she said.
The storm and the southwesterly monsoon would cause heavy rains and strong winds in the North, the upper Northeast, the western part of the Central Plains and the East on Wednesday and Thursday and flash floods and run-offs would be possible in slope and low-lying areas, Ms Sukanyanee said.
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Bangkok Post
19 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Experts sound drought warning for next year
As Typhoon Wipha weakens, its immediate impacts, such as flooding in parts of the North, are gradually receding. However, experts are sounding the alarm over more serious challenges ahead, including flash floods, water shortages, and a potential drought crisis in 2026. The Hydro-Informatics Institute (HII) is warning that rainfall across Thailand is expected to decline by 4-9% during August and September. This is part of broader shifts tied to climate change, including the transition from La Niña to either neutral (La Nada) or El Niño conditions, factors that will affect Thailand's water availability well into next year. At a public forum titled "Water and Climate Alert: Rain Monitor for 2025 Storm Forecast", held on Wednesday, HII analysts warned extreme weather events are likely to increase in intensity and unpredictability. Sudden droughts, driven by fluctuating rainfall, are expected to emerge in the latter half of this year, particularly affecting southern and inland provinces. HII director Royboon Rassamethes said northern provinces such as Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phayao already experienced heavy rainfall this month, exceeding 150 mm per week in some areas. Despite current flooding, the concern is now centring on how rapidly water levels might decline, leaving reservoirs understocked and agricultural areas vulnerable to drought. Looking ahead, Thailand is projected to face a water shortage of over 4,450 million cubic metres by 2026. National water reserves fall short of the 12,000 million cubic metres needed to sustain critical demand. In response, authorities are being urged to speed up work on irrigation systems and large-scale water diversion plans, redirecting floodwaters into storage pools and high-demand agricultural zones. Mr Royboon said "the next four weeks are crucial", as accumulated rainfall could trigger more flash floods while simultaneously masking the onset of longer-term water scarcity. He urged the public to monitor forecasts, updated four times daily, and to use the ThaiWater application for 48-hour alerts at the sub-district level. From November to December, heavier-than-normal rainfall is expected across the western coast of southern Thailand, while eastern provinces will see typical monsoonal patterns. However, overall, 2025 rainfall is projected to be significantly lower than in 2024, underscoring the urgency of strategic water management. The HII is working closely with public and private partners to enhance forecasting accuracy. "By integrating drone technology and advanced monitoring tools, we are upgrading our real-time response capability. "These innovations will improve early warnings and support long-term planning for Thailand's water security," Mr Royboon said. Meanwhile, the aftermath of Typhoon Wipha continues to affect residents in northern Thailand, particularly in Nan province. Reporters say floodwaters have inundated parts of the city for three consecutive days, and although levels have begun to recede slightly, many areas remain submerged, some as deep as two metres. Roads leading into Nan City, such as the route from Ban Luang district to the Phan Ton intersection in the municipal area, remain underwater. While some vehicles are now partially visible, flood levels in the economic zone remain over one metre deep. Rescue teams are using boats to transport residents in and out of their homes, helping them access essential supplies, as aid cannot reach some locations.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Flooding remains in North
Many areas in the northern provinces of Nan, Phayao and Chiang Rai are still affected by flooding as persistent rain is expected to continue throughout Thursday. The Meteorological Department reported that Wipha weakened from a tropical storm into a depression on Wednesday and is expected to downgrade further as a low-pressure system, moving along the monsoon trough in northern Thailand, upper Laos and Myanmar on Friday and Saturday. In Nan, governor Chainarong Yongwai said this was the most severe flooding in 47 years. All 15 districts in the province were flooded. Rainfall records on Thursday showed districts in the upper part had over 300 millimetres of accumulation, such as Bo Kluea, Tha Wang Pha, Pua and Chiang Klang. The major measuring gauge in Tha Wang Pha recorded water at 14.51 metres, decreasing by five centimetres per hour. Water in Muang district was measured at 9.43m and increasing by 2cm per hour. The internet signal in Muang district was unavailable due to electricity cuts to prevent dangers to the public. Mobile internet vehicles were deployed to assist residents. Helicopters from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation were operating to help affected households. Rain is expected to continue pouring across Nan until Thursday night. Although water levels might decrease, flooding will expand to more areas, Mr Chainarong said. He advised residents in unflooded areas to stay alert. In Chiang Rai, flooding mainly affected Thoeng district, with water levels higher than Wednesday, affecting several premises, according to the provincial public relations office. Several roads were damaged by floods and landslides, with some closed to motorists. In Phayao, eight districts were flooded, affecting over 1,700 households, according to governor Ratthaphon Naradisorn, who was speaking at a war room meeting with the Interior Ministry. The main rivers flowing into the province were the Yom River and Ing River, with persistent rain causing flooding along both rivers for over 50 kilometres. The water situation is expected to stabilise within two to three days, Mr Ratthaphon said. Chiang Kham Hospital was surrounded by about 50cm of floodwater, and patients were evacuated by military vehicles. The Ministry of Public Health reported that five hospitals were affected by flooding. They included Wiang Sa, Chiang Klang and Tha Wang Pha hospitals in Nan; Thoeng in Chiang Rai; and Chiang Kham in Phayao. The government had set up emergency centres in some affected areas, with mental health crisis teams on standby. The weather agency forecasted that 22 provinces across Thailand would experience more heavy rain on Thursday: In the North: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak and Kamphaeng Phet
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Transport safety stressed in stormy northern Thailand
Thai transport agencies are taking safety precautions and are ready to offer public assistance for any effects caused by Tropical Storm Wipha in northern Thailand, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on Wednesday. The storm has weakened since moving in from Laos but has caused persistent heavy rain and flooding in some provinces in the North, according to the Meteorological Department. The key provinces affected are Nan, Chiang Rai and Phayao. Mr Suriya said the Department of Highways has set up warning and detour signs on affected roads and stationed security staff for 24 hours at points prone to floods and landslides, with machinery on standby for emergencies. The Department of Rural Roads was thoroughly inspecting roads and will alert the public to any damage through updates on its Flood Management System (FMS). The State Railway of Thailand, meanwhile, is cleaning and improving drainage systems. Safety checks on tracks, trains, signals and barriers are under way, along with a review of emergency response plans and temporary shelters for passengers. Chiang Mai Airport since Monday has opened a coordination centre with equipment and staff on hand in domestic passenger hall 1, according to Airports of Thailand. Airport staff are also holding daily situation assessment meetings at 9am. Parking for 250 vehicles is available for affected individuals. Mae Fah Luang Airport in Chiang Rai is also allowing free parking for flood-affected residents until Thursday. Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok remains unaffected, with normal flight operations. Passengers planning flights from Thailand to heavily affected areas, such as Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen, are advised to continuously check their flight status. In case of delays or cancellations, passengers are entitled to full refunds or flight changes, except for compensation due to unforeseeable external events, said the Civil Aviation Authority. Passengers who will be arriving in Thailand can check situation updates via websites of airports where they will be landing. Measures are in place to ensure flight safety and air traffic management, according to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand.
