The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) yesterday (Aug 25) was working urgently to repair electric poles and restore power after the area, hopefully by last night, said an official report of the efforts.
PPEA manager Watcharin Prapa explained that the team is mobilising personnel, equipment, and machinery to fix the power distribution system, particularly along Patak Road, Soi 2-8, where fallen rocks and trees damaged several power poles and lines, causing power loss in the area.
The team has been using drilling machines to break apart large rocks blocking the roads and backhoes to clear the debris, making it easier for the repair crews to work. Dozens of construction workers have been working since August 23 to restore the power supply, he said.
“They are coordinating closely with relevant teams and units to speed up the repairs and expect to have power restored to all areas by tonight. Some areas have already had their power restored,” Mr Watcharin said yesterday.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, Pol Maj Gen Pitak Uthaitham, visited the people forced to evacuate their homes from the landslide to offer support and distribute relief bags.
He emphasised that the police were committed to assisting the public around the clock. Accompanied by Pol Maj Gen Wara Wechachapinan, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 8, and Phuket Provincial Police COmmander Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Pol Maj Gen Pitak visited the Disaster Relief Center at Wat Kata to encourage those affected.
Local police also supported rescue efforts, interviewing the deceased’s relatives as witnesses, and issuing necessary documents such as death certificates, said an official report of the visit.
There was one case where due process had yet to be completed. The remaining relatives have been asked to contact the police for further coordination.
Pol Maj Gen Pitak joined by the other high-ranking police officers donated money to the Superintendent of Karon Police Station to aid the victims and support police operations.
Pol Maj Gen Pitak said that national police commissioner Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol had also expressed his concerns and asked that police officers continue to monitor the area, ensuring the safety and well-being of the people until the situation stabilises.
If any incidents occur, officers were instructed to provide immediate assistance, Pol Maj Gen Pitak said.
According to a report issued by the Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention & Mitigation (DDPM Phuket), the Phuket Provincial Office has officially declared certain areas as disaster zones due to floods and the major landslide.
The declaration, issued on Friday (Aug 23), officially recognised the following areas as disaster zones: Moo 1, 2, 3, 4 in Karon; Moo 1, 2 in Rawai; and Moo 8, 9, 10 in Chalong.
On Aug 22 heavy rains started around 10pm, leading to a mudslide in Mueang Phuket District early on Aug 23, said the report, dated Saturday (Aug 24) but issued only late yesterday (Aug 25).
Of note the report was marked as issued by Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham, acting on behalf of the Governor of Phuket.
In Tambon Chalong, Moo Baan 8, 9 and 10 were affected, impacting 260 households and 817 people. In Rawai Moo Baan 1 and 2 were affected, with 55 households and 134 people impacted. In Tambon Karon, Moo Baan 1, 2, 3 and 4 were affected, impacting 114 households and 382 people.
A “mudslide”, as officials are preferring the mass earth movement, in Moo 2 resulted in 13 deaths (eight women and five men) and 19 people injured.
Among the dead were a Russian husband and wife, two Thai women (one from Surat Thani and one from Sakon Nakhon) and nine Myanmar nationals in Soi Patak 2 in Karon.
The search was officially terminated at 1:45pm on Saturday as no additional missing persons were reported, the report noted.
ASSISTANCE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS
Deputy Minister of Interior Chada Thaiset along with other government officials visited the affected areas to provide support and distributed 100 survival kits to disaster victims in Karon.
Various agencies, including the Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, and local municipalities, are involved in providing ongoing assistance.
A temporary command centre and evacuation centre were set up at Wat Kittisangkharam (Wat Kata) with the collaboration of the Phang Nga Naval Base and Karon Municipality.
Donations of survival kits and drinking water were provided by the Phuket branch of the Red Cross Society, the Big Buddha Foundation, and others. Royal volunteers organised a ‘Big Cleaning Day’ in the affected areas in Karon.
Government agencies are working to expedite recovery efforts and provide compensation to disaster victims, following the relevant regulations, noted an official report of the assistance efforts.
DDPM Phuket reported that while floodwaters have long receded in many areas, intermittent heavy downpours were still expected in the coming days.
Residents were advised to stay alert for potential flash floods, flooding and mudslides.