Prepare for Heavy Rain in Nine Southern Provinces from November 20-26.

Bangkok: Residents in nine southern provinces are being advised to brace for heavy rain from November 20 to 26, as various governmental units mobilize to mitigate the impending weather impact. The Director of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has emphasized the importance of preparation in response to the adverse weather conditions forecasted for the region. According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, disclosed that Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, who also serves as the Director of the Flood, Storm, and Landslide Relief Operation Center (SROC), has directed relevant agencies to closely monitor the water situation. He has urged the public to prepare after the Meteorological Department reported that from November 20-24, 2024, the southern provinces including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall. The Office of Nationa l Water Resources (ONWR) has issued an announcement warning of potential flash floods, forest runoff, and urban flooding from November 20-26 in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Satun, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, and all districts of Yala and Narathiwat provinces. The ONWR is closely watching for sudden water level rises and potential overflows in low-lying areas along main rivers and tributaries. The Meteorological Department has predicted that the storm "Man-Yi," centered in the upper South China Sea, will weaken between November 20 and 22, and it is not expected to impact Thailand. Meanwhile, a decrease in rainfall and a drop in temperature is anticipated in the North due to a new cold air mass. However, the South is preparing for the forecasted heavy rain beginning November 20, 2024. The Director of the Central Prevention and Operations Center (CPOC) has instructed units to manage water storage areas effectively to prevent downstream impacts. Efforts include quick draining and water release to accommodate the expected heavy rainfall, with Bang Lang Dam in Yala Province noted for its good management. Various agencies have also readied personnel, machinery, and tools to clear waterways and enhance drainage efficiency, with a strong emphasis on public advisories. The flood relief payments, as per Cabinet resolutions from September 17, 2024, and October 8, 2024, continue to be distributed. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has been coordinating with the Government Savings Bank to transfer relief funds via PromptPay to affected households, providing 9,000 baht per household across 26 installments. To date, the payments have reached 257,914 households, amounting to a total of 2,321,174,000 baht.