Heavy Rains Forecast For South Thailand

[george]

Heavy rains forecast for South; Flood recedes in Phangnga resort area

PHANGNGA: -- Flash flooding which ran through resorts and residential areas alike in the southern province of Phangnga has now receded and daily life is expected to return to normal soon.

Hotel and resort operators as well as local residents in Khao Lak in Takua Pa district are clearing away mud, which flowed in from forest torrents, while electrical power and tapwater water distribution was restored Saturday night.

Flooding remains in Takua Pa and Thai Muang district farmlands, but continues to recede.

The Khao Lak area, which was hard-hit by the tsunami in 2004, is prone to flash floods and mudslides, and flooding there was caused by heavy rains made worse by a trash- and mud-clogged sewerage system.

Although the flooding was not prolonged, it has caused substantial damage to property.

Meanwhile, the meteorological department forecast torrential rain and isolated heavy rainfall in the South, particularly in Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Trang and Satun provionces, as a low pressure cell and a moderated southwest monsoon prevail over the Andaman Sea.

-- TNA 2009-08-30