Phuket flash floods lead to tailbacks on Thepkrasattri Road

PHUKET: Flash floods inundated Thepkrasattri Road in front of SuperCheap’s flagship store early this afternoon, causing a kilometer-long tailback of traffic leaving Phuket Town.

“The flood continued for more than an hour, but drained away by about 2:30pm,” Wirat Sinthuwong, chief of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) for Rassada Municipality, told the Phuket Gazette.

“However, flooding is still affecting Promphan housing estate near SuperCheap, because construction is taking place there and water cannot drain properly,” said Mr Wirat.

The DDPM is using pumps to remove water from the area, he added.

“Even though no special flood warning has been issued, I have ordered our staff to be prepared in case there are more heavy downpours,” Mr Wirat explained.

Acting chief of DDPM-Phuket Weera Amnuayporn said he had not been informed of the flooding.

“We have no plans to issue a flood warning at this time,” he stated.

— Chutharat Plerin