People in Thai South warned of impacts from Melor storm

BANGKOK, December 15 (TNA) - The Meteorological Department has issued a warning that Typhoon Melor, which is now striking the Philippines, may land in southern Thailand early next week. Meteorological Department Director-General Wanchai Sakudomchai told journalists on Tuesday that there could be, thus, heavy downpours in many southern Thai areas in the coming days due to impacts from Typhoon Melor and small trawlers should stay ashore for safety. Wanchai foresaw that the situation in the southern Thai region could not be too bad if Typhoon Melor weakened, as Thailand is also now influenced by a high temperature trough from China. However, Wanchai cautioned, people in the Thai South must stay on alert to see whether Typhoon Melor would weaken to become a depression when it lands on the Gulf of Thailand next Monday. According to international media reports, Typhoon Melor is now hitting the Philippines' populated Luzon Island, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people from the central part of the country. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department forecast a further drop of temperatures in the Thai North and Northeast by 3-5 degrees Celsius from December 15 on, to 11-13 degrees Celsius, and local people should, therefore, be well-prepared to face a cold spell. (TNA)