Summer storm warnings have been issued for 19 provinces in the North and Northeast, with many areas already suffering major storm damage and power outages.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has also reported one death caused by the storm. Sangwan Pongpanya, 38, died when a tree, uprooted by a gale-force wind, fell and crushed him while he was riding his motorcycle home in Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday.
The report came as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) released its forecast for storms in 19 provinces in the North and Northeast, where 864 houses have been damaged or destroyed by the extreme weather.
According to the TMD, a strong high-pressure system from China is currently covering the upper sections of the country gripped by hot to very hot weather.
The forecast is for thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail in the Northeast, the North as well as parts of the Central Plains provinces including Bangkok and its vicinity, the East, and the upper South regions.
The DDPM said the 19 provinces are; Phayao and Phetchabun in the North and Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Loei, Chaiyaphum, Sakon Nakhon, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Roi Et, Mukdahan, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Nakhon Phanom.
In Phitsanulok, a widespread blackout was reported in Wang Thong district after the storm knocked over seven roadside power poles on Sunday night.
Repair crews were sent to areas where power poles were toppled along the Wang Thong-Sak Lek road in Ban Din Thong of tambon Din Thong.
Prayad Pongprasert, a village head, said a fierce storm battered tambon Din Thong for about half an hour on Sunday night. It caused large trees to fall and brought down the power lines.
