People in Thai North, Northeast warned of Chebi storm

BANGKOK, August 1 (TNA) - People in Thailand's northern and northeastern regions have been warned to brace for the approaching Chebi storm, which was forecast to hit the regions from August 2-5. Chatchai Phromlert, Director-General of the Ministry of Interior's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, told journalists on Thursday that updated information, shared between his department the Meteorological Department, has shown the Chebi storm, formed in South China Sea, has been approaching the Gulf of Tonkin and Vietnam's northern coast. Chatchai noted that the Chebi storm would then reach upper parts of Thailand and Laos, though weakening, bringing heavy downpours into the Thai North and Northeast over the next couple of days, with possible flash floods and mudslide in some low-lying areas. Chatchai particularly warned people in 14 northern and northeastern Thai provinces to be prepared for impacts from the approaching storm, including Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Chiang Rai, Payao, Nan, Phae, Uttaradit and Petchabun, suggesting that they closely follow up updated weather reports and warnings issued by the Meteorological Department and stay alert for timely evacuation to safe grounds in case of emergency. Chatchai acknowledged that disaster relief officials in the 14 provinces at risk have been instructed to survey disaster-prone locations around the clock and to timely issue warnings and assist affected people in their respective areas, while other disaster relief officials have been ordered to station in all natural attractions to promptly assist tourists in case of emergency. Meanwhile, Suphot Tovichakchaikul, Secretary-General of the National Water and Flood Management Policy Office, assessed that Thailand's floods this year should be less severe than those in late 2011, as the accumulated amount of rainfalls since the beginning of this year has totaled 781.6 millimetres, less than the same period of last year by 37.7 millimetres. Suphot pointed out that water stored at large-sized dams and reservoirs nationwide have totaled 35,005 million cubic metres, 49.8 per cent less than the corresponding period of last year and 13.7 per cent less than 2011, when the country was devastated by massive floods. Despite heavy rains in several provinces, Suphot affirmed that water levels at major rivers are far less from their critical levels; so, concerned officials are confident they can tackle with water runoffs or flooding-related cruxs this year. (TNA)