Weather warning for Phuket, Andaman coast

PHUKET: With heavy downpours causing traffic tailbacks and minor flooding across Phuket roads this morning, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a “Heavy Weather Warning” covering Phuket and other provinces along the Andaman coast.

The warning, issued at 5:03am, explained, “The ridge of high pressure area covers upper northeastern Thailand and the moderate southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf. These cause more rainfall over Thailand and isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the North, the Northeast, the East and the South west coast.”

The warning urged people in the affected areas to beware of flooding and noted that the heavy weather is expected to continue to until at least Friday.

Waves in the Andaman Sea were expected to reach heights of about two meters.

“All ships should proceed with caution during the period,” the warning urged.