The governor of Phuket, Narong Woonciew, has paid a visit to residents in the central part of the island as they battle to keep floodwaters out of their homes. The governor and local officials visited homes in the Srisoonthorn sub-district in Thalang district yesterday. The area was on day 2 of torrential downpours, with water levels rising in nearby canals and residential areas flooded.
Wednesday has started with some spots of sunshine as the island’s flood waters start to dissipate.
Whilst the annual monsoons bring torrential rain each year, July was particularly wet. And now August has had a wet start to the month as well. The heaviest rain in Phuket each year is usually in September and October.
The governor was joined by Srisoonthorn mayor, Chalermpol Kerdsup, and officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The officials visited homes in Baan Na Khian in Moo 5 and Prime Place Village in Moo 3. Meanwhile, local authority employees worked to alleviate rising water levels in nearby canals and provided residents with sandbags to protect their homes.
The governor’s visit comes as officials issued a flood warning for the Kamala area, further south of the Srisoonthorn sub-district. The warning urged residents in 8 villages to beware of the risk of run-off from the Kamala and Cherngtalay hills as the heavy rain looks set to continue until at least Saturday.
The Phuket News reports that the DDPM’s Phuket office has also issued instructions to local DDPM officials to monitor flood water levels in their areas and to provide immediate assistance where needed.
SOURCE: The Phuket News