Wipha triggers flood, landslide warnings

Nan and Phayao have taken a battering from tropical depression Wipha despite it having been downgraded to a low pressure system, with flash flood and landslide warnings issued for 40 provinces.

- POST REPORTERS

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said cumulative rainfall in the past 24 hours had reached nearly 300 millimetres, raising the risk of deluges and landslides in those provinces.

In its weather advisory, the TMD said that as of lam yesterday, Wipha had downgraded to a tropical depression. By 4am, its centre was located over Xieng Khouang province in Laos, some 180 kilometres from Nan, and would continue weakening as it moves over northern Thailand.

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said heavy rains and flooding caused by Wipha has affected 20 districts across three northern provinces: Nan (10 districts), Phayao (seven districts), and Chiang Rai (three districts).