Storm Noru weakens as it crosses Thailand

As it travels into Thailand, tropical storm Noru has transitioned from a super typhoon to depression after experiencing significant weakening. In spite of this, the Thai Meteorological Department has continued to caution residents in all 64 provinces to be on the lookout for heavy to heavy rainfall, which has the potential to trigger flash flooding and overflows. After wreaking havoc in Thailand’s northeast earlier this week, the department reported yesterday that Noru was now traveling in a west-by-northwest direction at a speed of approximately 10 kilometers per hour. According to the department’s estimates, the center of the depression was experiencing wind gusts of approximately 55 kilometers per hour. Yesterday, satellite pictures were made available by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency. These photographs revealed that floods in the Chi and Mun river basins had affected more than 65,000 hectares of land. The provinces of Si Sa Ket, Surin, Roi Et, Yasothon, Kalsin, Ubon Ratchathani, Maha Sarakham, and Amnat Charoen all had rice fields that were affected by this.

Meanwhile, government authorities across Thailand are taking precautions in anticipation of Noru’s arrival. On Wednesday, Governor Narong of Phuket convened a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall to discuss the preparation of the island province for the oncoming storm. According to Narong, the authorities are prepared to deal with the storm by removing water and providing shelter, food, and other support. As of the evening of Wednesday, almost 4,000 residents in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, which is located in the northeastern part of Thailand, have been moved to safety.