Phuket, Ranong Hit By Flash Flood And Landslides

[george]

Phuket, Ranong hit by monsoon-related storm; flash flood and landslide alert

PHUKET: -- Phuket's disaster prevention and mitigation office has announced this southern province is the disaster area after it was hit by a heavy storm last night, damaging many homes in several districts.

The official number of structures destroyed has not yet been announced.

Phuket provincial authorities warned local residents in 27 disaster prone areas to brace for possible flash floods and landslides. A number of guest houses, restaurants and businesses in Phuket town were damaged by the storm.

Homes in Thalang and Kratu districts were destroyed and large trees fell by high winds.

The Andaman seacoast province of Ranong in the upper south issued warnings to at-risk areas in 75 villages alerting residents to possible flash flooding and mudslides after the province was hit by heavy rains.

--TNA 2006-05-21

[george]

Update:

alert over possible flash floods, landlsides in several provinces

The Meteorological Department yesterday warned residents in several provinces to be prepared for flash floods.

The warning was issued to people living in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Ranong and Phang Nga.

The bureau expects heavy downpours during the next one or two days and warned that flash floods and landslides might strike settlements and homes near foothills and those build near mountainous slopes.

In Phang Nga, the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office's acting chief Bancha Sudkheao said a landslide had occurred at a road in Thap Put district following a storm.

"Relevant officials have managed to clear the road," he said.

In a related development, Ranong disaster prevention and mitigation office warned local residents to brace for possible flash floods and landslides.

There are 75 villages in the districts of Muang Ranong, Kapoe, Kra Buri and La-un as well as Suk Samran sub-district, which are considered to be areas at risk.

Muang Ranong district chief Boonyapat Chatara-urai said the Ranong governor's working trip to Phayam Island would be postponed to a later date because of rough seas.

"Waves are between two and three metres high," he said. The working trip was initially scheduled on Wednesday, when officials were expected to bring public services in mobile units to treat people on the island.

--The Nation 2006-05-22

[george]

Flash floods warning

BANGKOK: -- Heavy rain and flash floods are forecast for central and southern provinces during this week, with Bangkok and surrounding areas expected to face thunderstorms and continued cloudy skies.

The southwest moonsoon covers the Andaman sea and the Gulf of Thailand, bringing unseasonal weather. The Meteorological Department said that an active low pressure ridge prevails over central part of the country and the lower northeast. Thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible.

Residents living near the feet of mountains and in at-risk lowland areas of Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Ranong, and Phang-nga should be alert for possible flash flooding.

The department predicts rough seas and 2-3 metre high waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Small boats are advised to stay in port.

The Northern region during Monday to Thursday will face thundershowers and heavy rain mostly in the lower part.

The Northeast will see widespread thundershowers with isolated heavy rain during the same period.

The west part of the Central region will mostly be isolated heavy rains.

The Eastern region will also see widespread thundershowers mostly along the mountain and coastal areas.

--biz-day.com 2006-05-21