Scorching weather set to stay
Summer storms to offer a little respite
The entire nation is bracing f or scorchingly hot weather this month, with forecasters saying temperatures look set to reach 44.5 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country despite the occasional relief from intense summer storms.
According to the Meteorological Department yesterday, hot to extremely hot conditions are expected across vast swaths of the country until Sunday — especially in the Northeast and East.
From April 8-10, meanwhile, there is an increased risk of intense summer storms and hail in the area, as a cool front moves into the area from upper Vietnam.
Stormy conditions may develop in the South, too, but in general, the weather would remain favourable for tourists, the department said.
The Meteorological Department said this month, the average temperature will be about 30% higher than normal.
Summer storms might offer a brief respite from the high temperatures at some point this month, but temperatures in the North, Northeast, East, and upper parts of the Central Plains could reach as high as 44.5°C, the department warned in its forecast yesterday.
According to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, the sun will be directly above Thailand at noon in April and May.
With the sun immediately overhead at noon, any object placed outside will cast almost no shadow until the sun and earth move out of alignment.
Betong district in Yala will be the first area in Thailand to experience the phenomenon, which will take place at 12.19pm on April 4, according to the institute. The northernmost district of Mae Sai in Chiang Rai will experience the phenomenon at 12.17pm on May 22.
The phenomenon will occur again between July and September, according to Narit.
According to the spokeswoman for the Department of Disease Control, Churai Wongsawat, there have been 139 reports of deaths from heat-related ailments since 2018. The majority, she said, happened in April.
Last year alone, 37 people aged between 13-75 died from heat-related issues. All but three were male, and almost all suffered from chronic illnesses and/or engaged in high-risk behaviour, such as excessive drinking.
Many of the victims were farmers and outdoor workers who had to stay out in the sun for extended periods, she said.
“People should avoid exposure to sunlight, drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages, especially when the weather is extremely hot,” Dr Churai said, adding the public is also advised to wear comfortable, loose clothing and avoid black and other dark colours.
Parents are also reminded not to leave children unattended inside their car since temperatures can quickly spike in such an enclosed space, she said.
In Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Kui Buri district on Sunday, a 70-year-old man was found dead from possible heatstroke on Sunday.
According to relatives, the man, identified only as Ramphueng, herded and tended cattle in a rice field on Sunday afternoon but failed to return home by late evening.
Concerned relatives then asked rescue workers and police to mount a search for him.
He was later found dead in an overgrown area by the roadside at 10pm on Sunday.
Police said while the man showed no signs of injuries, his body was sent for an autopsy. The death was believed to be caused by heatstroke, police said.
Meanwhile, Seree Supratid, director of the Climate Change and Disaster Centre at Rangsit University, warned on Facebook yesterday that if the world fails to meet the 1.5C target set by the Paris Agreement, then global temperatures could reach as high as 49C in 60 years.
The Paris Agreement seeks to keep global temperatures from increasing by 1.5C above pre-industrial levels to prevent climate change.