Warning as typhoon nears
The southern province of Surat Thani warned residents yesterday to brace for tropical storm Durian, while weather authorities said the east coast from Prachuap Khiri Khan on down would be pummelled by heavy rains and powerful waves.
Surat Thani Governor Niwat Sawatkaeo warned residents living in 149 disaster-prone areas to closely monitor weather reports and advised trawlers and passenger boats to stay moored.He said Durian had been expected to cross Vietnam yesterday and would cause heavy rainfall in eastern and southern Thailand. It was feared landslides and floods would occur, especially in tourist attractions including Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao. The Meteorological Department in an update at 4pm yesterday said that Durian had reached southern Vietnam and its centre was about 600 kilometres from Chumphon province. Moving westward with a maximum wind speed of 75kmh, it was expected to reach the Gulf of Thailand last night. Strong winds and waves of up to 4 metres high were expected.
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