Accra:Bangkok Fourteen provinces in southern Thailand are gearing up to tackle potential natural disasters, including stagnant water, flash floods, mudslides, and overflowing rivers.
According to Thai News Agency, the National Water Resources Office (NWRO) has been closely monitoring weather forecasts, which indicate that a high-pressure system or cold air mass from China is expected to spread over upper Thailand and the South China Sea. This will bring easterly winds that carry moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to upper Thailand and upper southern Thailand. The monsoon trough passing through southern Thailand is forecast to strengthen, leading to continuous heavy rainfall in the region from October 26-29, 2026.
The NWRO has identified several provinces at risk, including Chumphon, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Satun, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. These areas are prone to flash floods, mudslides, river overflows, and stagnant water, particularly in urban regions with inadequate drainage systems.
Authorities are advised to monitor large reservoirs exceeding 80% of their capacity, like the Ratchaprapha Reservoir in Surat Thani, and similar conditions in medium and small reservoirs across the affected provinces. There is also a call for vigilance regarding sudden water level rises and potential flooding in low-lying areas along major rivers and their tributaries.
To mitigate the impending weather impact, agencies have been instructed to continuously monitor weather conditions and water levels, especially in high-risk areas. Efforts will include inspecting and repairing riverbank embankments, removing obstructions in waterways, and adjusting water management strategies across reservoirs and river channels. Furthermore, a preparedness plan is to be established, with resources allocated for immediate response and public warnings issued to ensure timely evacuations if necessary.