PHUKET: A colorful blood moon lunar eclipse that will be seen around the world on October 7-8 has Phuket weather forecasters worried because it could produce exceptionally high monsoon tides.
The tide - some forecasters predict the peak could be 70 centimetres higher than normal in Thailand - combined with monsoon storms has the potential in the present conditions to severely damage Phuket beachfronts.
Senior meteorologists met with other officials in Bangkok today amid concerns that the chances of landslips and flooding will increase during the spectacular lunar event.
A Russian woman was killed in Cha-Am today when a large rock broke loose from a hillside and killed her inside a building during a mediation break, according to Thai media.
Rain-filled clouds pose a danger in the next few days and threaten to obscure the heavenly eclipse over Phuket and Thailand. Provinces already named as under threat are Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong, Chumphon and Surat Thani.
Heavy rain is also forecast over Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla.
Exceptionally high tides usually beat back the flow of rainwater through drains into the sea - creating floods in the highly populated Phuket areas of Patong and Phuket City.
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation officials and Andaman coast council emergency workers will be on standby for trouble - and looking up in case a break in the clouds gives them the chance to observe the spectacular moon.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth gets between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow across the moon that causes it to turn a blood red color.
In some areas, people may even get an opportunity to see a ''selenelion.'' A selenelion occurs when the sun and the eclipsed moon are visible simultaneously.
The blood moon is expected to be more spectacular than an earlier one in April.
The tide - some forecasters predict the peak could be 70 centimetres higher than normal in Thailand - combined with monsoon storms has the potential in the present conditions to severely damage Phuket beachfronts.
Senior meteorologists met with other officials in Bangkok today amid concerns that the chances of landslips and flooding will increase during the spectacular lunar event.
A Russian woman was killed in Cha-Am today when a large rock broke loose from a hillside and killed her inside a building during a mediation break, according to Thai media.
Rain-filled clouds pose a danger in the next few days and threaten to obscure the heavenly eclipse over Phuket and Thailand. Provinces already named as under threat are Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong, Chumphon and Surat Thani.
Heavy rain is also forecast over Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla.
Exceptionally high tides usually beat back the flow of rainwater through drains into the sea - creating floods in the highly populated Phuket areas of Patong and Phuket City.
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation officials and Andaman coast council emergency workers will be on standby for trouble - and looking up in case a break in the clouds gives them the chance to observe the spectacular moon.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth gets between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow across the moon that causes it to turn a blood red color.
In some areas, people may even get an opportunity to see a ''selenelion.'' A selenelion occurs when the sun and the eclipsed moon are visible simultaneously.
The blood moon is expected to be more spectacular than an earlier one in April.
Chalong Pier and Rawai pier will be the excellent locations to watch the blood moon lunar eclipse if the sky is clear, ( with binoculars.) Same time can witness the extra high water tide. Exciting days!
Posted by Kurt on October 7, 2014 09:06