[pedFlicle]

The Meteorological Department on Saturday morning issued a warning for people in the North, Northeast, Central Plains, East and western parts of the South to prepare for widespread scattered rain with heavy falls in some areas and the danger of floods today and tomorrow.

The department said a low pressure area from China is now covering the Northeast and the Southwest monsoon is prevailing over the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. This will cause widespread scattered rain on the North, Northeast, Central Plains, East and western parts of the South.

People living near hillsides should prepare for heavy rain and flash flooding, it warned.

There will also be strong wind-generated 2 to 3-metre-high waves in the Andaman Sea. All shipping should proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore today and tomorrow, the department said.