DDPM issues flash flood, landslide warnings for Phuket

PHUKET: A weather warning advising Phuket residents and tourists to prepare for flash floods and landslides has been issued by the local Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

“According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), we can expect increasingly heavy rains tomorrow,” said Weera Amnuayporn, acting DDPM Phuket office chief.

“It’s going to take a turn for the worse, with widespread thunderstorms and isolated showers across the island, so we’ve decided to issue a flood and landslide warning as a precaution,” Mr Weera told the Phuket Gazette this morning.

“Additionally, boat operators should exercise caution and check weather forecasts regularly, as we are expecting up to 2-meter waves. Tour boats carrying lots of tourists should be especially careful.”

As is customary in bad weather, red warnings flags have been positioned along Kata and Karon beaches cautioning holidaymakers not to swim, Kata-Karon chief lifeguard Uten Singson told the Gazette.

Despite the warning flags, Mr Uten is worried that tourists will put their lives at risk.

“The red flags are to warn people not to swim, but even though these flag are clearly visible along the beach, we still see tourists ignoring them,” said Mr Uten.

“We do our best to warn them, but it’s also up to them to take responsibility for their own safety and avoid swimming.”

— Chutharat Plerin