Waves pound coastline, homes evacuated

Waves pound coastline, homes evacuated

A coastal area of Pattani province is flooded while facing the northeastern monsoon on Tuesday. (Photo by Abdulloh Benjakat)
A coastal area of Pattani province is flooded while facing the northeastern monsoon on Tuesday. (Photo by Abdulloh Benjakat)

Hundreds of people were evacuated from seaside communities in several southern provinces facing the Gulf of Thailand overnight as large monsoon-driven waves pounded the coastline.

There were coastal evacuations in Pattani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Narathiwat provinces.

The Meteorological Department said the wind-driven waves and rain were whipped up by northeastern monsoon, which blew across the Gulf and the South. Waves were 2 to 4 metres high.

Small boats were advised to stay ashore.

Powerful waves pounded shorelines in six districts of Pattani - Mai Kaen, Muang Pattani, Nong Chik, Panare, Sai Buri and Yaring.

Many bungalows in Nong Chik and Yaring were flooded and tourists were moved to safety late on Monday night. The Yaring-Sai Buri Road was damaged.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, seawater flooded into coastal communities in Hua Sai, Muang Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pak Phanang, Sichon and Tha Sala districts. About 20 families were evacuated.

Strong waves continued to pound the coasts of tambon Tha Phaya and tambon Khanab Nak of Pak Phanang district on Tuesday.

About 200 affected families received bags containing necessities there. About 20 fishing boats were damaged in Tha Sala district.

In Narathiwat, about 120 families were moved to safe ground as waves flooded houses in Muang Narathiwat district late on Monday night.

About 1,000 small fishing boats were forced to stay ashore in Muang Narathiwat and Tak Bai districts. Officials in Muang Narathiwat municipality banned swimming along local beaches as seaside shops were closed.

A Tuvalu-registered barge sank off Narathas beach in Muang Narathiwat district. It was carrying 3,000 tonnes of rock from the Narathiwat port to Singapore.

Local residents watch as big waves pound the beach in Pattani province on Tuesday. (Photo by Abdulloh Benjakat)

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