A raft-based eatery met an untimely demise amid the rapid currents of the Nan River in Phitsanulok, leaving the northern province waterlogged on Saturday. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha)
As residents surveyed the damage, authorities ramped up warnings about looming thunderstorms and fierce winds poised to lash all northern provinces, the Northeast, Central Plain—including bustling Bangkok—and even the southern stretch of Chumphon until Thursday.
Chaiwat Jultirapong, the vigilant director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, didn’t mince words on Sunday. He commanded his regional deputies to brace for the wrath of unpredictable weather patterns forewarned by the Meteorological Department.
The department’s director-general, Kornravee Sitthichivapak, shed light on the brewing tempest. A formidable high-pressure front from China is set to sweep across the eastern North, Northeast, and South China Sea, while a stubborn monsoon trough will drench the lower North, lower Northeast, and Central Plain.
Here’s the stormy rundown:
On Sunday:
- The northeastern provinces: Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, and Udon Thani.
On Monday and Tuesday:
- Northern provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, and Uttaradit.
- Northeastern provinces: Amnat Charoen, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Yasothon.
- Central plain provinces: Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri, Uthai Thani, and Greater Bangkok.
- Eastern provinces: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, and Trat.
On Wednesday and Thursday:
- Northern provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, and Uttaradit.
- Northeastern provinces: Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Surin.
- Central plain provinces: Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Chai Nat, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Sawan, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri, Uthai Thani, and Greater Bangkok.
- Eastern provinces: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, and Trat.
- Southern provinces: Chumphon, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Later in the week, the mercury in the Northeast is expected to dip by 1-3 degrees Celsius, according to Ms. Kornravee.
As for flood conditions, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Sunday reported watery havoc across 17 provinces, primarily in the North and Northeast, impacting around 40,000 families.
Flood distress zones include:
- Northern provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Nan, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, and Tak.
- Northeastern provinces: Chaiyaphum, Maha Sarakham, Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani.
- Central plain province: Ayutthaya.
- Eastern province: Prachin Buri.
While floodwaters are receding in most regions, Phitsanulok and Ayutthaya are seeing rising waters, and levels remain unchanged in Maha Sarakham.
Since August 16, the relentless floods have affected approximately 181,000 households, claiming 49 lives and injuring 28 individuals across 37 provinces, stated the department.
The government should have been better prepared for this! It’s ridiculous how unorganized they are every time we have a storm.
Totally agree, this is becoming a norm now. How many more lives need to be lost before they take it seriously?
It’s not just about preparation, it’s also about educating people on how to respond. Many don’t know what to do during such emergencies.
To be fair, Mother Nature is very unpredictable. Sometimes no amount of preparation can prevent these disasters.
While I agree Mother Nature is unpredictable, having better infrastructure and emergency protocols would definitely mitigate the damage.
It’s scary how we can’t escape nature’s wrath. I hope everyone stays safe out there.
It’s about time we start considering climate change more seriously. These events will only become more frequent.
The high-pressure fronts from China coupled with the monsoon troughs are textbook examples of climatic anomalies exacerbated by global warming. We need detailed studies and proactive measures.
The general public doesn’t get the science, they need simpler explanations to understand why these weather patterns are intensifying.
Exactly, you can throw all the science out there but if people aren’t educated, it’s useless information.
Does anyone know if there are any efforts being made to assist the affected families?
There are some local charities stepping in but government assistance seems slow and inadequate.
Would be nice if the media focused on these charities more, might encourage people to donate.
I’ve heard that in some areas, families are helping each other out and staying resilient. Community strength is shining through.
Why are we always discussing what went wrong after the fact? We need talk about prevention, not reaction.
Prevention requires long-term planning and investment, which unfortunately isn’t a priority for many local governments.
Right on Barry! Sadly, most actions taken are reactive because proactive measures cost money and time.
I know people affected by the floods directly. It’s heartbreaking to see homes and livelihoods destroyed in a matter of hours.
Thank you for bringing attention to this tragedy. We need more awareness and action!
Absolutely! Together, we can make a difference.
Does anyone think there’ll be any compensation for the victims?
Highly doubt it. The government barely seems to manage the aftermath.
There may be some aid but probably not enough to fully compensate the victims.
Beyond compensation, people need resources and support to rebuild and move forward.
Why isn’t anyone talking about how these disasters will affect agriculture? That’s going to impact food supplies.
Good point! Flooding can devastate farmlands. The long-term effects on the food supply could be severe.
At this point, I feel like the only thing that might help is a complete overhaul of our systems. But that’s probably never going to happen.
It’s easy to blame the government, but what are we, as citizens, doing to prepare ourselves?
Solid point, Narong. We should take some responsibility too and be proactive in crisis planning on a personal level.