Southern people warned of flash floods

BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department Sunday warned people in the South to brace for possible flash floods as depression in the South China Sea is going to send heavy downpours to the region.

The warning is addressed to residents in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Cloudbursts are also forecast for Prachuap Khiri Khan, a central province that serves like a gateway to the South.

At the same time, the Meteorological Department advised people in Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat and Uthai Thani to remain vigilant as flooding and overflowing in their provinces will likely continue.

-- The Nation 2006-09-24

It is getting dark overhead in Phuket and it is/was pissing down in Nakhon Si Thammarat about 5 hours ago. Last year in Nakhon many were left homeless for quite a few days.

Southern provinces hit by floodings

Several southern provinces, including Krabi and Surat Thani, have been hit by floods.

In Krabi, many residents in Phra Saeng district moved up to live on the second story of their houses to cope with intruding floodwater. They had also prepared boats to travel around.

"The situation is not serious. People still can help themselves," Phira Suraka, who heads Tambon Bang Sawan Provincial Administrative Organisation, said Sunday.

In Surat Thani, Phrasaeng district chief Thanit Promthong said seven flat-bottomed boats were now on standby to facilitate evacuation, if necessary. He said floods already hit some areas but the situation was not serious.

Wanchai Chaowanapanja, who heads a local disaster-prevention-and-mitigation centre, said his concern now lied with landslide risks at many spots in Surat Thani.

"If possible, motorists should avoid Surat Thani - Phang Nga Road around Khao Sok National Park because landslides repeatedly took place there," he said. He added that relevant officials were closely monitoring the situation.

Thanakorn Prabanpreuk, who heads the Surat Thani disaster-prevention-and-mitigation centre, said Phanom district was the most risky when it came to landslides.

"We are focusing on how to fast issue early warning and fast evacuate people in cases of emergency," he said, adding that up to 15,000 people could be affected.

-- The Nation 2006-09-24

Just one light shower all day where I am in Phuket....maybe it's on its way