Phuket downpours leave sinkhole, landslip across roads

PHUKET: Workers from the Phuket Highways Office tomorrow will begin repairs to a gaping hole along the southbound lane on the bypass road left behind by the week of heavy downpours across the island.

“We have closed the outside lane and placed warning signs and cones to inform motorists of the hazard,” Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luedwonghad told the Phuket Gazette today.

Flashing warning lamps have also been set up to prevent nighttime drivers from plunging into the sinkhole, he added.

“We will begin repairs tomorrow, as we have yet to set up the correct equipment at the site,” Mr Samak said.

Meanwhile, Kathu Municipality workers will begin clearing away a landslide that covered Luang Sua Road, which crosses the hills from Kathu to Wichit.

“We are aware of that hazard too, but that road is under Kathu Municipality’s responsibility,” Mr Samak explained.

“Both of these hazards were caused by the non-stop rain we’ve had for the past five days.”

The Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation issued a weather warning last Saturday, advising island residents and tourists to prepare for flash floods and landslides (story here).

Since then, small boats have been advised to stay ashore (story here) and lifeguards have issued stern warnings to beach-goers to beware the dangerous surf (story here).

— Natthaphol Wittayarungrote