Screenshot of an official notice from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand

After the strong winds and a stormy sea reportedly claimed the lives of two Chinese tourists as the Typhoon Wipha continued to affect Thailand, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand reminded on Tuesday Chinese nationals to take precautions against heavy rainfall. 

Gusting winds and a storm-tossed sea claimed the lives of two Chinese tourists on Sunday, and weathermen on Monday warned of continued downpours as the after-effects of Typhoon Wipha continued to pound parts of Thailand, the Bangkok Post reported on Monday. 

Pol Lt Sirapat Chupong, of Chalong police station, said that on Sunday a Chinese woman, Wang Yang, 53, was killed by a falling tree at a beach on Koh He island in Phuket's Muang district, according to the Thai media report. 

Wang and her husband were lying on a beach bench under the tree when it was uprooted by the strong wind. It fell on top of them. Wang's husband escaped with minor injuries and he was given first aid by emergency responders, the Bangkok Post said. 

In adjoining Krabi province, the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 reported the death of Shin Yushi, 34, who drowned off Koh Lanta on Sunday, the Bangkok Post said. 

In a post published on its official WeChat account, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand said due to the impact of tropical storms and the southwest monsoon, parts of northern, central-eastern, and southern Thailand have experienced heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. The embassy reminds Chinese nationals in the country to stay vigilant and prepare for strong winds and heavy rain.

The Chinese nationals should closely monitor weather forecasts and avoid hazardous areas, and adjust travel plans in a timely manner based on weather updates and disaster warnings, the embassy said. 

They should avoid going out during heavy rain unless necessary, the embassy said, noting that if they must go out, take precautions against lightning and rain including staying away from large trees, transformers, utility poles, and billboards. When driving, they should reduce speed and avoid driving through waterlogged or low-lying areas, the embassy said. 

The embassy also reminded that the Chinese nationals should beware of flash floods, as in northern regions, they should remain vigilant against heavy rainfall and accumulated precipitation that may trigger sudden floods and flash floods. 

The Chinese nationals are also urged to stay away from mountainous areas, riverbanks, and low-lying dangerous zones. 

Recently, there have been strong winds and rough seas in southern Thailand, Pattaya, and nearby coastal areas, the embassy said, reminding the Chinese nationals to plan their trips carefully and exercise caution when participating in island-hopping and other sea activities.

The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam also warned on Sunday Chinese nationals to be alert for Typhoon Wipha, which is expected to make landfall along the northeastern coast of Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon to night, according to an official post on the embassy on Sunday. 

Global Times