Flash Flooding Hits Phangna Province

Flash flooding hits province in Phangnga

PHANGNA: -- Mountain torrents hit the southern province of Phangnga on Tuesday night, while authorities in Surat Thani and Phuket warned fishermen to stay ashore due to high waves.

The torrents from two districts of Phangnga and Surat Thani’s Khao Sok National Park hit the Takua Pa municipality in Phangnga after relentless torrential rain. Water depth in some areas reached above one metre as several roads were cut off. The flooding has affected more than 1,200 households.

Local authorities distributed relief supplies and warned villagers of possible floods and mudslides in eight districts including 47 at-risk areas.

In Surat Thani, governor Winai Buapradit issued warnings to fishermen and speed boat owners not to head out to sea, especially small fishing boats, because of high waves above 2 metres.

Ferry boats were still being allowed to leave shore. In Phuket, the authorities also put up red flags to mark dangerous areas and prohibit tourists from swimming in the sea. Life guard teams were monitoring beaches.

The tourism business on Patong beach had been affected, according to one reporter. In addition, the director of the local meteorological centre warned villagers in Chumphon and Surat Thani to brace for possible torrential rain and mountain torrents as the south-west monsoon covered the southern region, Gulf of Thailand and Andaman sea.

--TNA 2008-05-14