Phuket braces for more strong wind, heavy thundershowers

PHUKET: The erratic stormy weather across Phuket today, with heavy showers and gusts of wind reaching up to 35km/hr, is no cause for alarm, says the local weather office.

However, islanders should prepare to hold onto their hats as the wind is expected to breach Force 6 on the Beaufort scale by Thursday.

“So far no weather warning has been issued for Phuket, but we should be prepared for Thursday, when the wind is expected to increase in strength and heavy rain and thundershowers are forecast,” an officer at the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) told the Phuket Gazette this afternoon.

Waves are likely to reach heights above three meters, the officer said.

“All vessels in the region are urged to proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore as wind-driven waves will continue to cause rough conditions in the Andaman Sea,” he added.

The officer urged beachgoers to stay out of the surf.

“People should not be swimming while this heavy weather continues. It is likely to be very dangerous at this time,” the officer said.

— Paramee Poolsawat