Phuket braces for stormy weather
PHUKET CITY: The Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned of the risk of landslides, flooding and strong seas in Phuket due to Cyclone Nargis.
Myanmar state television earlier today reported that Cyclone Nargis had claimed 21,793 lives and that 40,695 people were missing in Irrawaddy division alone.
DDPM-Phuket Chief Chotenarin Kerdsom said that waves have reached between two and three meters high off Patong Beach and strong winds have been reported at all of Phuket’s beaches.
“We have already warned tourism-related businesses and fishermen in Phuket of the dangers of the bad weather and advised small boats not to put to sea at this time,” K. Chotenarin said.
“We have asked Phuket City, Thalang and Kathu District Offices to keep a close eye on all the beaches and to remind tourists that they should not swim in the sea,” he added.
“Although there is little danger of flooding or landslides here, we do not want to be careless and are co-ordinating with District Offices to guard against landslides in risk areas,” he said.
