Thailand prepares to cope with Typhoon Vicente

BANGKOK, July 14 (TNA) - Typhoon Vicente has hit Hong Kong and is heading toward China, causing increasing downpours in some areas in Thailand. Thailand's Meteorological Department predicted that Typhoon Vicente should reach the upper part of the Hainan Island later Tuesday and weakens, and that the storm should then enters northern Vietnam Wednesday, causing increasing rainfalls in Thailand. According to the weather agency, heavy downpours are likely in some areas in all Thai regions, including Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom provinces, all in the Northeast, from July 24-26, as well as Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun in the Thai North in the same period and Chantaburi and Trat in the Thai East and Ranong and Phangnga provinces in the Thai South from July 25 to 27. The Meteorological Department also warned of possible flash floods in low-lying areas near waterways and big waves in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, saying that rainstorms and thick mist would also cover Mae Sai and Mae Chan districts in Chiang Rai, and that local authorities should issue warnings to local people. Meanwhile, meteorologists in Sakon Nakhon province in the Thai Northeast warned of possible flash floods in Sakon Nakhon and other northeastern provinces, including Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai and Udon Thani, advising local people not to visit China for the time being. There were reportedly heavy downpours in Sakon Nakhon Monday night and the highest amount of rainwater was also recorded in Udon Thani and Bueng Kan. (TNA)