Soi Paniang, in Samkong, yet again suffered minor flooding, with residents and business owners readying for floodwaters to enter their homes and properties. The street itself became inundated under several inches of floodwater, slowing traffic to a crawl.
Officials monitored the water level in the Bang Yai Canal as it rose, but the banks held and the water fell to safe levels yesterday evening.
By 8:30pm last night Phuket City Municipality declared the water level in the canal “safe”, but still urged local residents to be prepared for any further downpours that may cause flooding with little warning.
People were urged to be wary of the dangers from heavy rain during the current period of passing heavy thundershowers.
People living in the Phuket City Municipality area in need of sandbags or in need of help due to flooding were asked to call the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Division at Phuket City Municipality at 076-211111 or the DDPM emergency hotline 199.
There is currently no weather warning in effect for Phuket or the surrounding area.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) Southern Meteorological Center, based near Phuket airport, forecasts rain across 70% of Phuket today, along with winds of 15-35km/h and waves averagnig one to two metres, reaching up two metres in thundershower areas.
The Phuket Marine Office also has not issued any specific warning to boat operators during the current weather, though Phuket Marine Chief Natchaphong Pranit has issued a notice instructing all boat operators to exercise caution when putting to sea adn to follow all instructions by marine officials.
Mr Natchaphong has also ordered teams of officers to be at all major ports and piers to conduct checks on boats to ensure they comply with the required water transport safety regulations, including that all passengers on water transport boats must wear life jackets at all times while in transit.