Autumn rainfalls commence after summer's end
Pounds of Rain Ahead: A Flood Alert for Thailand
Brace yourself, Thailand! The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall warning from Tuesday through Sunday, prepping several parts of the country, including Bangkok, for a soggy week.
According to the weather forecast, the southwest monsoon will unleash its fury from May 13-17, engulfing large swathes of the country in thunderous storms. After a slight dip in intensity from May 18-22, the monsoon will resurge, with afternoon downpours continuing and rainfall soaring again from May 23-25.
In Bangkok, thunderstorms are predicted to drench 60-80% of locations between Tuesday and Sunday, with occasional torrential rain and blustery winds. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is on high alert, distracted by last weekend's heavy downpour that inundated large portions of the city. Although water levels receded swiftly in most areas, a select few were left high and dry. BMA officials convened with flood-controlling troops to coordinate response efforts and round-the-clock monitoring.
On Sunday, raindrops resumed their dance across about 80% of Bangkok. Thankfully, the precipitation was less relentless than the previous night, but the rain-soaked city's drainage system struggled mightily due to power outages and uprooted trees in primary waterways.
Meanwhile, southern provinces, including tourist hotspot Phuket, were pummeled by downpours. Roads in Thalang, Muang, and Kathu districts fell victim to the inundation.
As we slide into the rainy season, which officially commences mid-May, the Thai Meteorological Department anticipates issuing an official declaration next week.
In a separate development, People's Party MP Rukchanok Srinork voiced criticism towards some Bangkok Metropolitan Council members for prioritizing water pump installations in politically favorable areas over flood-prone zones. She advocated for the distribution of pumps to be predicated on necessity rather than political bias.
Keep an eye on the sky, Thailand—the upcoming weeks promise to be wet and wild!
- Amidst the impending heavy rainfall, environmental scientists in Thailand are warning of potential climate-change implications due to increased flooding, emphasizing the need for policy-and-legislation that prioritizes environmentally sound practices in building infrastructure and urban planning.
- As a result of continued heavy rainfall and flooding, general news coverage in Thailand has been dominated by weather updates, focusing on real-time alerts and predictions, as well as analyses of the impact on the environment and society.
- In a time when unpredictable weather incidents are on the rise, the political landscape of Thailand is increasingly focusing on climate-change policies and the need for proper management of environmental-science research to effectively tackle this pressing concern.
