Storm-damage alert issued for most of country
Authorities have issued a storm-damage alert as Thailand continued to feel the effects of cyclone Ampan on Tuesday (May 19).
Officials in Bangkok and 62 other provinces have been ordered to monitor for flash flooding and other impacts until Thursday, said Monton Sudprasert, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.
The warning covers 13 provinces in the North and Northeast – Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit and Phetchabun; and 18 Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani.
It also covers 15 provinces in the Central region – Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Nakhon Nayok.
Also placed under alert are seven eastern provinces – Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat – and the nine southern provinces of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi.
Monton added that he has ordered his staff to prepare for disasters in eastern provinces.
Staff have been instructed to monitor the weather around the clock, while local government agencies have been told to keep residents updated about the situation.
Monton said 223 households had already suffered damage from thunderstorms influenced by the cyclone, which is centred to the west in the Bay of Bengal. The storm damage occurred across six provinces, namely Nan, Lampang, Kalasin, Surin, Amnat Charoen, and Uthai Thani.
