Bangkok: The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for residents in four provinces to prepare for severe weather conditions as heavy rain is expected. Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, and Phang Nga provinces are specifically advised to be vigilant and monitor the path of "Storm Wipha," which is projected to make landfall in northern Vietnam on July 21-22.
According to Thai News Agency, the Meteorological Department has indicated that these areas will experience heavy to very heavy rain in certain locations. Additionally, the Central and Northeastern regions are also expected to face heavy rainfall in some areas. Residents in these provinces are urged to remain alert to the potential dangers of heavy rain and accumulated rainfall, which could lead to flash floods and forest runoff, particularly on hillsides near waterways and in low-lying areas. The department attributes these conditions to a strong southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand.
The situation in the upper Andaman Sea is escalating, with waves reaching heights of 2-4 meters, and even higher in areas experiencing thunderstorms. Similarly, the lower Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand are experiencing waves between 2-3 meters, with greater heights in stormy conditions. Mariners in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are advised to exercise caution and avoid areas with thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand are recommended not to venture out to sea.
In addition to these developments, the strong tropical storm "Wipha," currently situated in the upper South China Sea, is approximately 560 kilometers east of Zhanjiang City, China. It is moving in a west-northwest direction and is expected to progress into the Gulf of Tonkin, making landfall in northern Vietnam between July 21 and 22, 2025.