Bangkok: The Meteorological Department has issued a nationwide warning for Thailand to brace for the impact of Typhoon Wipha. The powerful tropical storm is anticipated to make landfall in northern Vietnam on the morning of July 22, leading to heavy and potentially severe rainfall across northern Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sukanyanee Yawinchan, Director-General of the Meteorological Department, reported that Typhoon Wipha, currently centered over Zhanjiang City in Guangdong Province, China, has weakened into a tropical storm with wind speeds near the center reaching 90 kilometers per hour. The storm is projected to move towards the Vietnamese coast and weaken into a low-pressure trough over the upper Mekong River basin in Laos and Vietnam, causing continuous heavy rain in Thailand, along with risks of flash floods, mudslides, and strong winds in various regions.
A total of 60 provinces in Thailand have been advised to stay alert for dangers from intense rainfall. The storm is also expected to generate strong sea waves, particularly in areas experiencing thunderstorms, with heights of 2-4 meters and possibly exceeding 4 meters in certain locations. Small boats are advised against venturing out to sea from July 21 to 25. In response, a special monitoring center has been established to assess the situation in real-time and disseminate ongoing warnings.
The Phuket Regional Harbor Office dispatched patrol boat 601 to assist a fishing boat stranded near Koh Mai Thon due to engine failure. Five individuals on board were safely returned to shore, and the boat was towed back with the captain. Meanwhile, heavy rain and strong winds in Phuket Province caused damage to houses, toppled billboards, and large trees. In one incident, a large tree fell on a car inside Wat Ket Ho, injuring a cow.
In Phang Nga Province, heavy rain and strong winds resulted in fallen trees blocking roads and causing damage to homes and government buildings. The mayor of Phang Nga City, along with a team of officials and volunteers, promptly provided assistance. In Takua Thung District, a grandmother's house was completely destroyed by strong winds, prompting local officials to offer immediate aid.
Northern provinces such as Nan, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Chiang Mai, and Mae Hong Son are expected to be directly affected. Sandbags have been prepared to protect front areas of shops and houses. The mayor of Nan, along with the Public Works and Town and Country Planning office, inspected the Nan River embankment for damage and initiated urgent repairs to prevent potential flooding.
The Royal Irrigation Department has announced plans to increase water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam starting July 25, 2025, to manage the anticipated influx of 1,400-1,500 cubic meters of water per second at the C2 station in Nakhon Sawan Province. The discharge will range from 700-1,200 cubic meters per second to protect upstream agricultural areas. However, the low-lying areas downstream are warned to expect water levels to rise by 20-80 centimeters, necessitating public vigilance and close monitoring of the water situation.