Chaos on Phuket: Landslides and flight cancellations bring the island to a standstill!

Chaos on Phuket: Landslides and flight cancellations bring the island to a standstill!

The tropical rains that plague Phuket have led to devastating conditions on the island. As Wochenblitz reports, numerous roads have been flooded and a landslide has blocked Pisitkoranee Road between the Yaek Kha Luang intersection and the Patong Bay Hill Hotel. Motorists are strongly advised to use Phetchakut Road as a diversion as the main road to Patong is expected to remain closed for three days.

The events of the last few days are particularly tragic. Another major landslide occurred in the Kata area on Friday morning, killing at least ten people, including two Russians and six people from Myanmar. Thailandtip also reported over 50 damaged houses that collapsed under the weight of stones and trees, especially in the Chalong and Karon areas.

Worrying dimensions of the natural disaster

The rains, which began at 1 a.m., caused flash flooding in many areas of the island, devastating several villages. Currently, villages 1 to 4 in Karon as well as 1 to 2 in Rawai and 8 to 10 in Chalong have been declared disaster areas. Rescue teams are working to find missing people and a command center has been set up near Wat Kata.

The unprecedented rainfall also led to diversions at Phuket International Airport, where 37 flights were diverted to other cities such as Bangkok and Krabi between 8:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Fortunately, access roads to the airport are not affected and travelers can still get to their destination, although it is advisable to check current flight information regularly.

Preparing for more rain

The authorities have already started clean-up work and are warning residents of further rain in the wake of weather forecasts. Flooding was reported in Cherng Talay, Kathu and Mueang districts and a fallen tree blocked the Kathu-Koh Kaew Road, but there were no injuries. While water levels in Khlong Bang Yai are being monitored, the public is asked to remain vigilant.

The recent events in Phuket are part of a larger pattern of natural disasters in Thailand that consistently result in loss of life and significant economic damage. A look at the history of natural disasters shows that Thailand has repeatedly been hit by storm and flood-related events. Tropical Storm Harriet in 1962 killed over 900 people, while the floods of 2010 claimed over 800 lives. Wikipedia documents the multitude of these tragic incidents.

The situation continues to be monitored and we will keep you updated on the latest developments. Stay safe!