The warning was issued by the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command (Phuket DPMC), which has ordered all relevant agencies to remain on standby and ready to assist the public around the clock.
According to the “urgent directive”, first issued on Wednesday (May 13) by Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam, reported as acting on behalf of the Governor of Phuket Province, the warning follows an advisory from the West Coast Southern Meteorological Center concerning strengthening southwest monsoon conditions over the Andaman Sea and Thailand’s west coast.
Authorities warned that the stronger monsoon is expected to bring increased rainfall, with heavy to very heavy rain forecast in parts of the upper Andaman region, including Phuket.
Officials cautioned that accumulated rainfall could trigger flash floods and runoff, particularly in hillside communities near waterways and in low-lying areas prone to flooding.
The Phuket DPMC instructed district offices, local administrative organisations and emergency response units to closely monitor weather conditions and high-risk areas throughout the five-day warning period.
Special measures have also been ordered for coastal areas due to strong winds and rough seas. Authorities have been told to install warning flags and prohibit tourists from swimming during dangerous conditions.
Boat operators, including captains of passenger vessels, have been advised to navigate with extreme caution, while officials were instructed to consider suspending all boats from leaving shore should sea conditions worsen further.
At natural tourist attractions, agencies were told to cordon off any areas considered unsafe due to heavy rain or landslide risks.
Flood-prone areas across Phuket have also been placed under close surveillance. Officials were ordered to accelerate water drainage operations and activate water pumps before floodwaters reach critical levels. Additional pumps may also be deployed in high-risk areas to improve drainage capacity.
Authorities said personnel and volunteers would monitor vulnerable locations 24 hours a day, including observing changes in water levels and water colour that may indicate flash flood risks upstream.
The directive also warned residents in low-lying areas to move valuables to higher ground and prepare to evacuate if conditions become dangerous.
Officials further warned of electrical hazards in flooded areas and instructed agencies to immediately cut power in locations where electrical leakage poses a threat.
The Phuket DPMC said residents needing emergency assistance can contact local administrative offices or district offices directly, call the national disaster hotline 1784, telephone 076-510098, or report emergencies through the Line application “DDPM Emergency Reporting 1784” using Line ID @1784DDPM.
The command centre also instructed all emergency response personnel to remain on duty 24 hours a day until the weather situation returns to normal.