Heavy rains prompt Phuket flood, landslide warning

PHUKET: While the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today upgraded its “heavy rain warning” for Phuket and the Andaman coast to a flood caution, the Phuket provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) has issued a flood warning for risk areas across the island

“We sent the warning letter to every local administration yesterday, warning of possible flooding and landslides on the island,” DDPM-Phuket chief San Jantharawong told the Phuket Gazette this morning.

“If they need any help from us [DDPM-Phuket] they will be able to call,” he added.

The DDPM-Phuket has asked people in high-risk areas to beware of flooding through to Saturday, when the heavy rains are expected to ease.

The warning also cautioned all ships in the Andaman Sea to proceed with caution, as waves may reach a height of two to three meters.

The TMD announced that the current weather conditions were due to the high air pressure from China, which covers Northeast Thailand and low air pressure areas in Central and Eastern Thailand, as well as the southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

“If you have any information [about flooding and landslides] please report it to the DDPM-Phuket at 076-218444,” said Director San.”We have officers standing by every hour of every day,” he said.

— Chutharat Plerin