Unstable Phuket weather downs trees, damages homes and causes a landslide

PHUKET: Heavy winds and rain toppled trees in Phuket this morning, leaving one local villager with minor injuries and at least five houses damaged.

Officers from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Phuket office, were called to the scene of one of the felled trees near Phuket City Hall about 9:30am.

“Houses were damaged by the tree, but the damage was not serious. Also, one resident sustained injuries to his left leg when the tree fell,” said Preeyaporn Torwong of the DDPM, Phuket office.

A representative of the landowner arrived at the scene and said that he would take care of removing all of the fallen branches in the vicinity.

“Phuket Municipality has agreed to fund any repairs needed to fix the damage to the villagers’ homes,” added Mr Preeyaporn.

Meanwhile, a minor landslide was reported in Koh Sireh. No houses were damaged, and no one was injured in the incident.

“Koh Sireh residents began cleaning up the area after it happened,” said Mr Preeyaporn.

News of the incidents comes less than 24 hours after DDPM-Phuket Chief San Jantharawong issued a weather warning for flash floods and heavy rains (story here).

— Natthaphol Wittayarungrote