PHUKET: The weather warning for heavy to very heavy rain and strong wind waves in the Andaman Sea has been extended through to at least tomorrow, the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) announced this morning (Aug 1).
The weather warning, the sixth consecutive notice in the ongoing spate of wet weather Phuket is experiencing, noted that a monsoon trough across the upper North and upper Laos has formed into a low pressure cell over upper Vietnam.
“Together with the rather intense southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea”, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand was expected to endure heavy rain during the period, said the warning, issued by Kosin Siangwattana of the TMD’s Weather Division.
The warning was endorsed by Chalalai Jamphon, Director of the Weather Forecast Division, and signed into effect by TMD Deputy Director-General Thanasit Iam-ananchai, who is currently serving as TMD Acting Director General.
Continuous rain and heavy to very heavy rain in some areas in the North. Northeast, Central, Eastern and Southern regions were forecast. (Note: there are no other regions in Thailand.)
“People in the area are asked to be careful of the danger of heavy to very heavy rain and accumulated rain, which may cause flash floods, especially in foothill slopes near waterways and lowland areas,” said the warning,
“Be careful when traveling through areas with thunderstorms,” he added.
All provinces along the Andaman coast ‒ Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun ‒ were listed as to be affected by heavy rain.
“Wind waves in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand are quite strong. The waves are 2-3 meters high, more than 3 meters in thunderstorm areas, and about 2 meters in the lower Andaman Sea, and more than 2 meters in thunderstorm areas,” Mr Kosin warned.
“Be careful and avoid sailing in areas with thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand should refrain from leaving the shore until August 3, 2023,” Mr Kosin added.
People were urged to heed any emergency weather announcements and to follow TMD weather updates.
Lifeguards at key beaches along Phuket’s west coast have posted red flags where it is too dangerous to enter the water. At some beaches red flags have been posted all along the beach to warn people to not enter the water.
