Thailand Puts Bangkok on 24-Hour Flood Watch for IMF Meetings

Thailand is deploying a 24-hour weather and flood-monitoring team for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group meetings in Bangkok.

The preparations come as more than 15,000 delegates are due in the capital, with thunderstorms, strong winds and brief bursts of heavy rain forecast for Oct. 10-11. Severe flooding just weeks ago inundated roads , disrupted flights and temporarily shut factories .

Meteorologists will monitor conditions around the clock and issue forecasts district by district, with officials stationed at the meetings throughout the event, Meteorological Department’s forecasting chief Surapong Sarapa said.

Rainfall should ease from Oct. 12, when the meetings get underway, he said.

The government is also monitoring traffic and flooding around the clock. Officials say the four main meeting zones remained free of standing water even during the recent deluge and contingency plans are ready if conditions worsen.