Typhoon Kajiki to hit northern Thailand next week

Kajiki, the 13th tropical cyclone in the northwestern Pacific Ocean this year, is forecast to weaken into a depression when it hits the northern province of Nan on Tuesday and could dump 200mm of rain on the province, according to the Meteorological Department.

The department warns that heavy rain is anticipated in northern and northeastern provinces on Monday and Tuesday, resulting in flooding in low-lying areas.

As a precautionary measure, the National Water Resources Office has ordered an increased discharge of water from the Sirikit reservoir, from 40-50 million cubic metres to 55 million cubic metres per day, to increase the space available to store more rain water.

The water discharged into the Chao Phraya River in Chainat province will remain at 1,200 cubic metres/second, which will make it possible for the dam to cope with northern runoffs and high tide.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said it has activated its cell broadcast system, to send warning messages to areas at risk of being impacted by the storm.

It also said, however, that its early warnings may not be timely in some areas due to the lack of comprehensive analytical data.

According to the timeline for the movement of Kajiki, the tropical storm is forecast to develop into Level 1 tropical cyclone on Sunday as it approaches Hainan Island in China.

It is predicted to make landfall in northern Vietnam between tomorrow and Monday and this will bring more rain to Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces.

On Monday, Kajiki will weaken into a tropical storm as it moves across central Laos, Nakhon Phanom, Sakhon Nakhon, Bung Kan, Udon Thani and Loei.

The tropical storm will further weaken into a depression as it enters Nan province and this will bring heavy rain to Tha Wang Pha, Bo Klua, Muang and Chalerm Phra Kiat district.

The storm will further weaken as it moves westward across the northern provinces of Phrae, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.