Flood warning in Southern Thailand

BANGKOK, April 17 (TNA) - People in Southern Thailand are being told to brace for flash floods due to heavy downpours in the region. The Meteorological Department office in the South said earlier that rainfall would spread across several Central and Southern provinces including Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani in the next few days. Heavy rain has hit Songkhla province, near the Thai-Malaysian border since last night, while water levels in several canals have risen sharply. Flash flood warnings have been issued in low-lying 16 districts, while continuing rains and strong winds coming in from the Andaman Sea have affected Ranong and Trang provinces. Small trawlers have been told to stay ashore as three-metre high waves are expected in the Gulf of Thailand. (TNA)