Rain damps drought concerns

PHUKET: Continuing rain should stave off the threat of drought on Phuket and replenish water supplies, Suwin Anukul, Chief of Water Allotment of the Phuket Irrigation Project, said today. “At least we should be fine through to the end of this year,” he added. K. Suwin said the recent monsoon falls increased supplies in the Bang Wad reservoir by 800,000 cubic meters, even though much of that went to normal irrigation needs. The water outlook may be fine but the weather forecast is just the opposite. More than 85 mm of rain fell on Phuket over the first three days of August and scattered thunderstorms with isolated heavy showers are predicted for this week. Flash flooding is likely and small boats are advised not to put to sea.