More Summer Storms Predicted for Chiang Rai and Northern Thailand

CHIANG RAI – The Northern Meteorological Center forecast that the northern region of Thailand will see more thunderstorms next week, and urged people to closely follow weather reports.

Northern Meteorological Center chief Methee Mahayotsanan said areas in the northern region are expected to see thunderstorms and heavy rain, which may cause damage to facilities and affect the general public.

The weather conditions are caused by a westerly wind prevailing over Laos and the northern region of Thailand, along with the southeasterly wind over the upper parts of the country, and a low pressure system over the upper the Andaman Sea.

Sixty percent of the areas in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and the surrounding provinces will see thunderstorms during this period.

From today until May 4th, 2018, the high pressure system prevailing over Thailand will lose strength, meaning rain will continue in some areas in the northern region.

The general public is advised to closely follow news and forecasts from official sources to protect their farms and animals and to follow instructions given by officials to minimize damage from the natural disaster.

Last Tuesday, over a hundred homes in the Mae Lao District were damaged, District chief Khathasit Neungla led officials and soldiers on an inspection tour on Wednesday morning at Tambon Pa Kor Dam, where many tin and tile roofs were blown away by high winds.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that 7,364 people in 30 provinces have been hit by the summer storm, which also killed one.

By Tanakorn Sangiam