Anutin issues storm warning

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered provincial governors to remain on high alert and assist residents impacted by summer storms.

The order takes effect after national disaster prevention and mitigation command submitted its report indicating summer storms to affect different parts of the country from March to May of every year, said Traisuree Traisaranakul, a minister spokesman.

Such storms killed 44 people and damaged more than 217,000 houses between 2022 and 2024, she said. She said officials had been ordered to pay close attention to the forecasts for the weather, issue timely alerts and safety precautions, and inspect vulnerable structures that could be blown down by high winds.

Emergency response teams and equipment should remain alerted to swiftly assist those impacted, she added.