Phuket: Cleanup operations were in full swing yesterday after flooding, triggered by heavy rain, wreaked havoc on the tourist island while provincial authorities have indicated that further inundation is unlikely for the upcoming long weekend.
Many parts of the province including the old town were flooded on Sunday causing widespread damage and disrupting traffic as domestic tourists headed back home. Floodwaters receded in most parts of the province Sunday night, leaving roads covered with mud.
Governor Narong Woonciew said yesterday the flooding caused widespread damage, especially in the business centre and the province was mobilising resources to provide assistance to those affected by the flood.
Deputy governor Pichet Panapong also said yesterday that all roads were cleared of floodwater and are now accessible by all vehicles.
Districts were surveying and assessing any damage caused, he said.
The rare flooding in Phuket disrupted air travellers, many of whom missed their flights out of the city, while those arriving struggled to reach their hotels or homes.
About 330 tourists were stranded by the flooding, and military vehicles were deployed to shuttle them to the airport, Mr Pichet said, adding that the airport and flights were not affected.
With another long weekend coming, he said the province was unlikely to be hit by major flooding, but authorities were bracing themselves as rain storms were predicted to continue until Oct 21.
People were being urged to tune in to weather reports, Mr Pichet said.
Nantasiri Ronsiri, director of the Phuket tourism office, said there were enquiries about the flooding, but it was too early to say if visitors would cancel their bookings for the upcoming weekend.
The provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office said flooding affected 6,080 people in the three districts.
Five roads and three bridges were reported damaged, and electricity and waterworks systems were disrupted by mudslides.