Phuket goes on landslide alert

PHUKET CITY: As heavy rains continue to dowse the island, the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a landslide warning, effective until at least tomorrow.

“We have received good feedback from all 18 local administration organizations in Phuket. We have officers on 24-hour standby, manning phones and radios, ready to deal with any problems,” said Chotenarin Kerdsom, chief of the DDPM – Phuket office.

“Because of the southwest monsoon wind, Southern Thailand can expect to have more hard rain, hard wind, and waves of up to two meters high in the Andaman Sea. Small boats should not leave the shore,” he added.

K. Chotenarin named 14 landslide risk areas: Baan Mai Reab, Baan Nua and Baan Kalim in Kathu; Baan Kanan, Baan Kuan, Baan Pak Cheed, Baan Lipornbangkok and Baan Tha Rua in Thalang; and Baan Kata, Baan Bangla, Baan Kokchang, Baan Watmai, Baan Laem Promthep and Baan Chidcheaw in Muang district.

“Luckily, we have not yet had any landslides in any of the risk areas, but we are worried about areas with construction sites because in the past many landslides have occurred near such sites,” he said.

To report a landslide or ask for help, call 076-218444 or 076-218409.