Phuket deluge: It’s a washout for traffic and tides

Catastrophic downpours have wreaked havoc across Phuket today, submerging parts of the island and traffic in complete disarray. Areas like Cherng Talay, Kamala, Thalang, and Kathu were battered by relentless rain starting just before midday, leading to dramatic flooding and a partial landslide that had locals reeling.

In a particularly hard-hit spot, Soi Hua Khuan Nuea near the iconic Phuket FantaSea complex, officials reported that 30-50 centimetres of water accumulated, causing streets to resemble rivers. Several homes in the Bang Wan area were left underwater, sparking urgent calls for help from residents.

Over in Kamala, the torrential rain triggered a worrying partial landslide on the main road towards Patong, right by the Oceana Hotel intersection. Massive boulders crashed onto the roadway, blocking one lane and bringing traffic to a standstill. Thankfully, traffic police from Kamala Police Station were quick to spring into action, closing the affected lane and guiding vehicles through the remaining passage, reported Phuket News.

To tackle the debris, construction machinery and tractors were dispatched, and after a frantic clearance operation, the road was reopened to the public, much to the relief of stranded motorists, a local government official revealed.

“Our teams worked tirelessly to manage the disruptions caused by the heavy rain. We’ve cleared the road and traffic is back to normal now.”

This severe weather has thrown the spotlight on the urgent need for better drainage systems and robust emergency response plans in Phuket to combat the effects of such extreme weather in the future.

In related news, plans for a game-changing rail link to Phuket are gathering steam—but officials are staying tight-lipped. Phang Nga Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai has just held a high-level meeting to review the ambitious project connecting Tha Noon in Takua Thung district to Phuket International Airport.

The proposed 18-kilometre railway, expected to feature four stations—Khok Kloi, Tha Noon, Mai Khao, and Phuket International Airport—could transform travel in the region, according to a report by the National Broadcasting of Thailand (NBT).