THAILAND – Tropical storm Fengshen brought heavy rain to southern Thailand and caused a noticeable temperature drop in the north as it tracked westward toward Vietnam, authorities said.
Storm track and timing
As of 22 October at 16:00, the storm was located over the South China Sea about 220 kilometres northeast of Da Nang in Vietnam, with maximum winds of 90 km/h and moving slowly west. Meteorologists said Fengshen was expected to make landfall over central Vietnam on 23 October and then weaken, but its outer bands were forecast to affect Thailand through 26 October. A trough of low pressure over the south of the country, strengthened by northeasterly winds over the Gulf of Thailand, was projected to produce heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Southern provinces at highest risk
Authorities identified Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla and Pattani as particularly vulnerable to flooding. The Thai Meteorological Department warned of flash floods, landslides and rising river levels, and urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to exercise the highest caution.
North and northeast feel the chill
While the south coped with torrential rain, northern and northeastern provinces experienced a 1-2 degree Celsius drop in temperature. A moderate high-pressure system from China spread over the region, bringing cooler nights and stronger winds. The TMD advised people to look after their health during the changeable weather; days were expected to remain mostly sunny despite cool mornings.
Marine warning for fishermen and seafarers
The department issued warnings for the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, forecasting moderate seas with waves of 1-2 metres and waves exceeding 2 metres near thunderstorms. Local authorities advised fishermen and mariners to avoid stormy areas and to take precautions at sea.
Regional forecast and preparedness
Bangkok and surrounding areas were expected to be partly cloudy with slightly lower temperatures, around 24-35 degrees Celsius. The north faced cool mornings with daytime highs up to 35 degrees, while the northeast could see gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms. The south remained the most critical area, with forecasts indicating that 70 percent of the region would be hit by thunderstorms accompanied by heavy to very heavy rainfall. Officials urged residents to monitor weather updates and follow safety guidance from local authorities.
Source: The Nation; Thai Meteorological Department