In Patong’s Baan Mon community, flash floods inundated homes and caused extensive property damage, with water levels rising rapidly through the evening as high tides compounded the situation.
Phuket MP Chalermpong Sangdee visited Baan Mon to assess the situation firsthand. He said he was coordinating with relevant agencies to provide urgent relief and support for affected residents.
“People are understandably anxious with more rain and high tides expected tonight (Oct 23). We are doing everything possible to provide immediate assistance,” Mr Chalermpong said late last night.
Despite the ongoing rain, there was some relief for motorists as traffic resumed along 50 Pi Rd after Patong Municipality cleared a landslide that had blocked the route between the Petchkud and Khaluang intersections.
Patong Municipality expressed thanks to officials from the Phuket Provincial Office, Kathu District, the private sector and local volunteers for working around the clock to ensure residents’ safety.
In Chalong, however, flooding across Chao Fa East Rd and Chao Fa West Rd at multiple locations caused huge traffic tailbacks.
Elsewhere, Phuket Deputy Governor Suwit Phansengiam visited Cherng Talay to inspect water levels and drainage conditions in flood-prone areas.
Accompanied by the Cherng Talay Mayor and disaster prevention officials, Mr Suwit ordered that all relevant agencies maintain 24-hour readiness with water pumps and emergency equipment to prevent flooding from worsening.
“We must ensure all low-lying areas are closely monitored and that water drainage is expedited,” he said.
In Kamala, heavy rain washed soil from the Kamala–Patong Road expansion site onto the road surface near the Oceana Hotel at about 3:30pm, turning runoff water red with mud.
Kathu District Chief Akkaraphon Suthirak Chittsuphap coordinated with the Phuket Highways Office to clear debris and open drainage channels to restore safe traffic flow. Contractors were ordered to implement stricter preventive measures during future downpours, and the local village headman was tasked with continuous monitoring of the area.
Later in the evening, Phuket Governor Saransak Srikruanetra inspected rising water levels at Klong Bang Yai near the Chartered Bank Intersection in Phuket Town. He was joined by Mueang District Chief Pairoj Srilamul and Phuket Town Mayor Suphot La-ongphet.
The canal had overflowed, flooding one lane of road in the area. Governor Saransak said the high water level was caused by continuous rainfall but expressed optimism that conditions would improve overnight.
“High tide is expected to peak around 11pm and begin to recede after midnight. If there is no further rain, the situation should return to normal by morning,” he said.
He added that the flooding was due to rainwater rather than seawater, and that Phuket Town’s drainage system was functioning as designed. The Governor ordered Defense Volunteers and Phuket City Municipality officials to monitor the water levels through the night and to prepare to alert residents if the situation worsens.
Once the water recedes, municipal workers will inspect and dredge canals to remove debris and improve drainage efficiency.
According to the Thai Meteorological Department, Tropical Storm ‘Fengshen’ is bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall to southern Thailand through to Sunday (Oct 26), with the northeast monsoon strengthening over the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant for flash floods, mudslides and overflowing canals, especially in hillside and low-lying areas.
Waves in the Andaman Sea are forecast to reach one to two metres, increasing to over two metres during thunderstorms. Boat operators are advised to proceed with caution and avoid sailing in storm-affected areas.
The public can follow updates from the Meteorological Department at www.tmd.go.th or by calling 1182, and can request assistance through the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) hotline 1784 or their local administrative office.