Phuket Town Deputy Mayor Supachoke La-ongphet led the site inspections yesterday (Oct 11), to identify where the emergency pumps are to be set up.
According to an official report of the inspections, the flood-risk survey was carried out in response to the Thai Meteorological Department issuing a notice warning of heavy to very hreavy downpours in the coming week.
The precautionary measure was also in response to the Office of National Water Resources (OWNR) issuing an announcement warning officials to monitor reservoirs and local waterways that are at risk of overflowing during the period Oct 12-18, the report added.
The official report made no mention that heavy to very sporadic downpours are very normal for Phuket during this time of year, as all residents and even tourists know.
The report also made no mention that the inspections and precautionary action to prevent flooding had anything to do with the nine-day Phuket Vegetarian Festival, which begins on Sunday (Oct 15).
Instead, the report noted that officials were “continuously moving forward with intensity in caution, through prevention and planning measures to deal with flooding in urban areas by exploring additional water pump installation points”.
Regardless, for residents in Phuket Town, the move to have pumps set up at vital points to prevent flooding throughout the town is a prudent move, considering officials have Bang Yai Canal on watch for risk of breaching its banks with each new heavy downpour, as they did again only last week.
Of greater concern to officials, and Phuket Town residents, is that Bang Wad reservoir in Kathu is already at capacity.
According to the most recent report by the Phuket Irrigation Office, dated Oct 9, Bang Neow Dum reservoir in Srisoonthorn is 80.7% full and Klong Kata reservoir in Chalong is 66% full, but Bang Wad reservoir in Kathu is already 99% full.
When officials release water from Bang Wad reservoir, it flows into the Bang Yai Canal, which runs through the heart of Phuket Town, adding to the risk of the canal breaching its banks and flooding the town.
Officials have made monitoring Bang Yai Canal for risk of flooding a regular practice ever since the historic flooding throughout the town last year.
During the visit to Phuket by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in August, Phuket City Mayor Saroj Angkhanapilas explained to PM Srettha the need to expedite projects to help prevent and alleviate flooding in Phuket Town.
Doing so would help improve the area’s economic performance and improve Phuket Town’s image as a tourism destination, he said.
Mayor Saroj has already presented a drainage system construction project costing B226 million to help protect the Phuket Old Town area from repeated flooding.