Typhoon: Bad news for Philippines, not so bad for Thailand

The remnants of typhoon Rammasun should bring badly needed rain to Thailand's depleted dams in the North, but only after causing havoc in the Philippines.

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Residents brave strong winds and rain as they evacuate from their homes at an informal settlers' area as Typhoon Rammasun barrels across Manila on July 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/TED ALJIBE

Typhoon: Bad news for Philippines; not so bad for Thailand

First the bad news from AFP

The first typhoon of the Philippines' brutal rainy season shut down the nation's capital on Wednesday, killing at least 11 people across the country and forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate.

Ferocious winds from Typhoon Rammasun tore roofs off houses, overturned cars and ripped trees out of the ground in the megacity of Manila, as well as remote fishing villages hundreds of kilometres away.

Falling trees, poles and walls killed at least 11 people across the northern parts of the Philippines that Rammasun swept over with wind gusts approaching 200 kilometres an hour, authorities said.

Now the situation in Thailand

Rammasun's predicted path from the Weather Underground.

Storm warnings for many provinces

The Meteorological Department on Wednesday predicted heavy rain and strong winds in the South, the Northeast, the East and the North from July 17 to 20 due to the influence of Typhoon Rammasun.

Songkran Agsorn, deputy director-general of the department, said that Typhoon Rammasun had left the Philippines and was centred over the middle of the South China Sea.

It would move towards Hainan Island in China on July 18 and 19 and strengthen the southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

This would result in increased thunderstorms on the western side of the south and upper Thailand.

On July 17 and 18, heavy rains are predicted in Loei, Nong Khai, Bung Kan, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong and Phangnga provinces.

The same warning is forecast for Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phetchabun, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong and Phangnga provinces from July 18 to 20.

The water situation in Thailand dams as of July 15. http://www.thaiwater.net/DATA/REPORT/php/egat_dam.php

While residents are being warmed about damage from flash floods and mudslides, heavy rain could help alleviate a severe water shortage in the country's biggest dams. The orange box in the chart above shows how much water is available for use. As of yesterday, the Bhumibol and Sirikit dams had only 2.15 and 5.19 percent of their capacities available for discharge. Rice farmers were being urged to delay planting their crops.

Sources: AFP, Bangkok Post.com, Weather Underground

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