Heavy rains throughout next weekThe Meteorological Department predicts heavy rains in the western parts of the North, the Central Plain and the South from April 20 to 26 due to southwesterly winds and low pressure areas. Kornrawee Sitthichivapak, director-general of the department, said on Sunday that heavy rains were possible during the period from Monday to Sunday because southwesterly winds would be more powerful in the Andaman Sea, the country and the Gulf of Thailand from Monday to Thursday. Low pressure areas would cover the Gulf of Martaban from Wednesday to Sunday, she added. She warned people in the western parts of the North, the Central Plain and the South to be prepared for possible flash floods and run-off. Waves in the Andaman Sea could be two to three metres high from Tuesday to Sunday.