BANGKOK, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Eight provinces in Thailand are suffering from flooding and more flash floods are predicted as Typhoon Mangkhut, now over southern China, is moving west, Thai Meteorological Department said on Sunday.
The department on Sunday issued a warning of possible floods, river overflows and landslide in the country's north and northeast during Sept. 17 to 19, as Typhoon Mangkhut, packing sustained winds of 155 kph, barreled into southern China on Sunday morning.
Torrential rains have hit Thailand. Eight provinces, mostly in the northeast and some in the east, are ravaged by floods so far, affecting nearly 60,000 people in more than 16,000 households.
In southern Thailand, mountain run-off has submerged 30 villages. The southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand is getting stronger, bringing continuous rains across the central region, the east and the south's west coast.
Waves of two to four meters high, together with thundershowers in Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are expected in the coming week.
The department warned people along the coastline of inshore surges and advised operators to berth their vessels ashore.
