The directive followed the Governor’s participation in a national briefing on the severe flooding now affecting several southern provinces, particularly Hat Yai in Songkhla Province, where water levels have reached crisis levels comparable to 2010.
At 3pm yesterday (Nov 24), Gov Nirat chaired a meeting of the Phuket Natural Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) at Phuket Provincial Hall to deliver urgent instructions based on recommendations from the central NDMC meeting chaired by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Gov Nirat instructed all departments to complete every possible prevention task before any heavy rain arrives. His orders included:
* Clearing all drainage blockages to restore full flow capacity
* Dredging canals and drains at every known risk point
* Reducing flood risk during intermittent rain through rapid-response measures
He stressed that although Phuket is not experiencing the extreme rainfall seen along the Gulf of Thailand, the province must remain “fully prepared”.
WATER-RESERVE PLANNING BEGINS
With rainfall expected to taper off across Phuket, the Governor also ordered the Royal Irrigation Department and all water-resource agencies to begin retaining as much water as possible.
“We must ensure sufficient water reserves,” he said, noting the need for careful management during light-rain periods to safeguard supplies for residents and tourists during the coming dry season.
READINESS
Provincial updates presented at the meeting highlighted widespread flooding across the South:
* Songkhla Province remains the top concern, especially Hat Yai District, where water levels have surged to critical levels.
* Evacuation centres have opened at Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla Rajabhat University, the Signature Hotel and Hat Yai Ratprachasan School.
* The Third Army Region Commander has deployed personnel, boats and aircraft to assist vulnerable communities.
* The Thai Red Cross Society is preparing and distributing food to evacuees.
* Nakhon Sri Thammarat** reported flooding in 22 of its 23 districts.
* Pattani Province remains stable but is ready to assist Hat Yai if required.
Gov Nirat said Phuket must learn from the escalating situation in neighbouring provinces, adding that preparedness is the only effective defence against flash flooding.
As such, he explained, Prime Minister Anutin has ordered all southern provinces at risk of flooding to maintain:
* 24/7 monitoring and public warnings
* Prepared evacuation plans
* Operational water pumps, rescue vehicles and emergency medical care
* Clear travel routes and post-flood rehabilitation plans
Gov Nirat concluded that Phuket’s priority is to act early to avoid the severe impacts being felt elsewhere in the South. He instructed agencies to conduct thorough drainage inspections and to manage water resources immediately, emphasising the need for a coordinated and proactive provincial response.
“Advance preparation is key,” he said. “Phuket must be ready, even if the rainfall forecast appears limited.”
Provincial officers will continue monitoring the regional situation closely as relief efforts intensify in the hardest-hit areas, he said.