PHUKET: The Minister of Interior has warned provinces in the central, eastern, and southern region to brace for potential flood, storm, and landslide disasters due to the expected strong winds and heavy rain through to Friday.

The Minister of Interior Gen Anupong Paojinda has revealed that the strong southwest monsoon wind will pass over Thailand and the Andaman Sea, causing heavy rain in the central, eastern, and the western part of the southern part of Thailand.

This monsoon rain is also expected to increase the potential of flood, storm, and landslide disasters in the areas.

Rough seas are also expected in the Andaman and the upper part of the Gulf of Thailand with waves expected to be at 2-3 meters high during the monsoon period.

Governors of the affected provinces - Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo, Chonburi, Chanthaburi, Rayong, Trat, Prachinburi, Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Phuket and Trang - are to take precaution measures and to prepare for the potential disasters.

Disaster prevention and mitigation plans should be prepared on the provincial level to cope with all disaster situations that may occur.

On this matter, the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Chatchai Promlert has warned the public living in the potential risk areas to closely monitor the weather forecast and obey authorities' disaster warnings.

The public in the risk areas should be vigilant for any uncommon environmental signs, while small vessels should refrain from sailing out to sea, and all captains and crews should be extra cautious while navigating at sea during this time.

The DDPM Director-General has also mentioned that the affected public can request for help by calling the 24-hour 1784 security hotline.