Phuket Emergency Services Remain on High Alert Through October 7

Phuket authorities have extended heightened readiness for heavy rain, flash floods, landslides and rough sea conditions from October 4 through October 7, following a new forecast from Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD).

The latest order covers another period of unsettled weather expected across Thailand from October 4 to 7, with thunderstorms, strong winds and locally heavy to very heavy rainfall. The southwest monsoon is also expected to continue affecting the Andaman Sea and southern Thailand.

The order, signed by the Phuket Governor, was circulated by the provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) on October 2.

Recipients include officials responsible for all three Phuket districts, local government authorities and government agencies.

Although the current spell of bad weather has not caused major problems on Phuket, officials have warned that several risks remain. These include intense rainfall, flash floods, runoff from higher ground, flooding in low-lying areas, landslides and soil movement, as well as rough seas.

Emergency preparations

Local authorities and emergency services have been instructed to:

• monitor weather conditions, rainfall, slopes and areas where the ground is already saturated around the clock;

• prepare personnel, rescue vehicles, pumps, boats and other equipment for immediate deployment;

• close natural attractions if conditions become dangerous for visitors;

• restrict access to tunnels and underground roads during flooding and begin pumping operations immediately;

• assess the risk of electric shock in flooded areas and disconnect power where necessary;

• maintain 24-hour patrols and standby teams in areas at risk of flooding and landslides, with immediate warnings and evacuations if signs of danger emerge.

Residents in low-lying areas have also been advised to move belongings to safe locations above ground level when warned by authorities and be prepared to leave their homes.

Officials have been told to activate existing pumps before water reaches critical levels and deploy additional pumping equipment in areas prone to flash flooding.

Emergency services are required to remain on standby around the clock. The equipment listed in the order includes rainfall monitoring and warning systems, evacuation vehicles, flat-bottomed boats, mobile drinking-water and cooking units, and equipment for water rescue operations.

Additional warnings for the sea

The order also contains specific measures for coastal areas. When sea conditions become dangerous, local authorities must put up warnings and prohibit tourists from entering the water.

Boat captains, owners and passenger operators have been instructed to exercise additional caution. If conditions deteriorate, authorities are to consider a complete ban on vessels going out to sea.

The measures operate alongside a separate order from the Phuket Marine Office. Under the current restriction, vessels less than seven metres long are prohibited from leaving coastal waters for the open sea until October 5. All captains have also been instructed to avoid thunderstorms and monitor TMD warnings.

The new DDPM order extends the period of heightened weather preparedness for Phuket through October 7.