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The Star
17 hours ago
- Climate
- The Star
Seven northern roads impassable due to impact of storm Wipha
BANGKOK: Seven roads in Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phayao are impassable due to floods and landslides triggered by storm Wipha, highway officials on high alert. Heavy rainfall brought by the remnants of storm Wipha has caused flash flooding and landslides, rendering seven roads in three northern provinces impassable, the Department of Highways announced on Wednesday (July 23). The department said torrential rains from Wipha—now downgraded to an active low-pressure system over Laos—had affected 29 roads in Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phayao, with flooding and landslides reported in multiple locations. - Photo: The Nation/ANN As of Wednesday, the following seven roads were impassable: Highway No. 1093 (Khun Huay Krai–Pha Tang Road): Landslide blocked the road between kilometre markers 48+100 and 48+150. Highway No. 1326 (Rong Bua Thong–Sop Pao Road): Road section between KM 12+875 and 13+300 submerged under 10–15 cm of water. Highway No. 101 (Chang Puak Intersection–Pua Road): Section between KM 410+670 and 411+100 under 70 cm of water. Highway No. 1081 (Bo Klua–Chalerm Phrakiart Road): Blocked by landslide between KM 102+975 and 103+025. Highway No. 1081 (Bo Klua–Chalerm Phrakiart Road): Another section blocked by landslide between KM 149+700 and 150+000. Highway No. 1097 (Chiang Klang–Hang Thung Road): Blocked by landslide between KM 7+500 and 7+600. Highway No. 1256 (Pua–Doi Phu Kha National Park Road): Landslide blocked the road between KM 25+000 and 26+000. - Photo: The Nation/ANN Highway authorities on high alert Apirat Chaiwongnoi, Director-General of the Department of Highways, said he had instructed all regional highway offices to deploy personnel and heavy machinery to clear roads and assist motorists in areas affected by landslides or flooding due to Wipha's influence. He added that officials had been assigned to monitor high-risk locations around the clock, and that warning signs would be installed to advise motorists to avoid flooded or blocked routes and use detours where necessary. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
18 hours ago
- Climate
- The Star
Wading in floodwater amid a deluge, a couple in the Philippines tie the knot
MANILA: Their vows may as well have included 'come hell or high water'. As large swathes of the Philippine capital of Manila suffered through days of torrential rains and massive flooding, Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar pressed on with their wedding on Tuesday (July 22) – even if it meant marching down an aisle blanketed in knee-deep floodwater. The couple were aware that it was the worst time to be getting hitched in church. For days since Typhoon Wipha made landfall on July 19, the Philippines had been battered by incessant rain that set off floods across metropolitan Manila and ground life to a halt. But the date had been set, invitations sent out and their guests had sent their RSVPs. 'We just mustered enough courage,' Verdillo told the Associated Press. He said he and his bride saw the experience as 'just a test'. They had been together for 10 years and were looking forward to a life together. 'This is just one of the struggles that we would have to overcome,' said Verdillo. Photos of the wedding at Barasoain church, an hour's drive north of the capital, show Aguilar walking down the aisle, the hem of her floor-length ivory silk gown and wedding train dipping and floating slightly in light-brown floodwater. Her entourage of ringbearers, flower girls, bridesmaids, groomsmen and maid of honour are also wading in the water, their pants and dresses soaking wet from the knee down. One photo shows pairs of shoes parked on a pew. Verdillo and Aquilar are seen sitting and kneeling in front of the altar, surrounded by floodwater, the groom's pants rolled up to his knees. Jiggo Santos, one of the guests, remarked: 'You see love prevail because, even against weather, storm, rains, floods, the wedding continued. It's an extraordinary wedding.' The wedding was not the only tale of love and resilience as the Philippines grappled with a torrent of misery brought on by terrible weather. On July 22, a father in Quezon city, in northern metro Manila, leapt into a raging torrent to save his toddler son who had fallen into a gaping hole from a road under construction. A video posted on Facebook shows the boy running after his father when he slips and falls into the hole. Without a moment's hesitation, the father – identified in social media posts only as 'Jay' – turns and goes after his son as fast-moving floodwater and debris pour into the hole. Bystanders then help to pull the boy and his father out of the water. On July 23, many of metro Manila's streets remained flooded. A new storm, meanwhile, had been spotted 105km west of the main Philippine island of Luzon, threatening to dump more rain and set off a new wave of flooding across the archipelago. - The Straits Times/ANN
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
This time we're serious says Cambodia: Online scam detainees pass over 3,000 in latest campaign
A scene from a recent raid on an online scam compound. - Information ministry PHNOM PENH: The number of people detained in the latest online scam crackdown has passed 3,000, with most facing deportation. From June 27 to July 22, authorities conducted operations across 58 locations in Phnom Penh and 16 provinces, including Kandal, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Speu, Banteay Meanchey, Kratie, Pursat, Kampot, Koh Kong, Oddar Meanchey, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, Pailin, Takeo, Svay Rieng, Siem Reap and Tbong Khmum. In the course of the raids, 3,075 suspects (606 of them female) were arrested, including 1,028 Chinese, 693 Vietnamese, 366 Indonesians, 105 Indians, 101 Bangladeshis, 82 Thais, 57 Koreans, 81 Pakistanis, 13 Nepalese, four Malaysians, and others from the Philippines, Laos, Cameroon, Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Mongolia, Russia and Myanmar, according to a report from the Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Committee to Combat Online Scams. The latest operation took place on July 22, in Phsar Doeum Thkov village in the capital's Chamkarmon district, with 127 arrests of four different nationalities. Authorities also 'rescued' 153 Vietnamese citizens in Pursat province. It was not made clear how victims were distinguished from suspects. Among the evidence seized were Chinese police uniforms, firearms, narcotics, computers and phones. In Phnom Penh, 11 ringleaders have been sent to court, with eight detained in custody. Seventeen Chinese nationals have been transferred to a deportation facility in Preah Sihanouk, and many other foreigners are now awaiting deportation. The secretariat said the increase in operation tempo follows their first meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet, who chairs the ad hoc committee, on July 15. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
a day ago
- Climate
- The Star
Tropical storm Wipha weakens, heavy rain and strong winds expected across Thailand
BANGKOK: Tropical storm Wipha weakens into a depression, but heavy rain and strong winds are still expected in Thailand, with a risk of flash floods and rough seas. The strong southwest monsoon continues to dominate the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, while the monsoon trough stretches across upper Myanmar and upper Laos, the Thai Meteorological Department said on Wednesday (July 23). At the same time, severe tropical storm Wipha has been downgraded to a tropical depression over Xiangkhouang province, Laos, and is expected to weaken further into an active low-pressure system. Despite this, isolated heavy rain and strong winds are still likely across Thailand. The North, Northeast, Central, and East regions may experience very heavy rainfall, with the possibility of flash floods and overflows, especially along waterways near foothills and lowlands. Residents in these areas are advised to remain vigilant. In the Andaman Sea, strong winds will cause waves to reach 2–4m in height, and over 3m during thundershowers. The lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf will see waves of 2–3m, with thundershowers pushing the waves above 3m in some areas. All vessels in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf should proceed with caution and avoid thundershowers. Small boats in these areas should stay ashore. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Japan vice-minister visits Japanese language pilot school in Brunei
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ikuina Akiko speaks during the visit. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin/ANN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ikuina Akiko, visited Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School (SMJA) in the capital on Tuesday (July 22), as part of her official engagement in Brunei Darussalam. SMJA is one of three government secondary schools selected for a two-year pilot project (2025–2026) offering Japanese language as an optional subject for Year 7 and Year 8 students. Upon arrival, the Japanese Vice-Minister was welcomed by Director of Schools at the Ministry of Education, Marina Chek Bujang, and the school's principal, Nor Aisah Mohd Salleh. In her speech, Ikuina Akiko expressed appreciation for Brunei's initiative in introducing Japanese language education at the secondary level. Cultural performances including a Gulingtangan presentation. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin/ANN 'The Japanese Government is committed to promoting the learning of the Japanese language overseas, and we are delighted to hear that it has been introduced as an optional subject at Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School this year,' she said. 'We express our sincere gratitude for the efforts carried out by the school and the Ministry of Education of Brunei Darussalam. This initiative is a significant step toward fostering people-to-people exchanges and building mutual understanding between Japan and Brunei. We sincerely hope Japanese language education will continue beyond the pilot period.' Cultural performances including a Kempo demonstration. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin/ANN During her visit, the Vice-Minister observed cultural performances including a Kempo demonstration and a Gulingtangan presentation. Students also had the opportunity to engage with the Vice-Minister using basic Japanese and performed a Japanese song in her honour. The introduction of Japanese language classes aligns with the Ministry of Education's aspirations under the 21st Century National Education System (SPN21), which encourages multilingualism and global readiness. The pilot project aims to enhance students' linguistic and cultural competencies, while supporting broader efforts to strengthen cultural exchange and international understanding. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
