[ElegeExcest]

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

The department said a high 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, 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 from today to May 18, the department said.