Rain gauges are being provided to 30 Phuket villages deemed to be at risk of landslides.
On Tuesday, September 10, provincial governor Sophon Suwannarat received the devices from the deputy director-general of the Department of Mineral Resources. The department also explained to local authorities how the rain gauges should be installed and used.
According to a Phuket Express report, the DMR says that in the event of rainfall of between 100 and 150 millimetres, local residents should be told to prepare for evacuation. Should the rainfall be more than 200mm in a 24-hour period, residents should be evacuated to a safe place as their own area is considered “high risk” for landslides.
The DMR also provided maps of the high-risk areas, which cover 15 sub-districts. Sophon says the rain gauges and maps will be distributed to village headmen in areas considered at high risk of flash floods and landslides.
In August, Phuket was declared a disaster zone after a devastating landslide in the hills above Kata killed 13 people, injured several others, destroyed homes, and left countless people displaced. Over 200 families are still coping with the aftermath.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
