PHUKET: Two aircraft were kept on-hold today as severe winds slashed Phuket in advance of driving rain. Meteorologists dramatically upgraded the forecast warning for the holiday island.
A savage storm kept a Tiger Air flight from Singapore and a Bangkok Air flight from Samui circling above Phuket International Airport until concern about windshear abated.
Serious concerns will be held for any small boats that put to sea today despite warnings of poor conditions. The storm that smashed Phuket City before 9am was gusting up to and possibly beyond 60kmh, according to Phuket-based weather forecasters.
''Billboards are likely to topple in these winds and we would advise all vessels to stay close to shore today and tomorrow,'' a spokesperson said.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is preparing for flooding and landslips, with low-lying areas of Phuket - particularly in Patong and Chalong - likely to suffer. Motorists are advised to avoid making unnecessary trips until the rain eases a little.
According to the forecasters, that should be on Thursday. Conditions are no better elsewhere along the Andaman coast, with strong winds generated by the arrival of the monsoon and Typhoon Kalmaegi also lashing Krabi and Phang Nga.
Gusts are expected to drive waves that are normally two to three metres in height to four to six metres, as strong winds precede storms.
Parts of Phuket are expected to receive 40-50mm of rain today, rising up to 80mm in parts.
Landslips are becoming a real concern. The DDPM is always prepared for emergencies but the longer this week-long storm goes, the greater the chances of soft earth becoming sodden and heading downhill.
A savage storm kept a Tiger Air flight from Singapore and a Bangkok Air flight from Samui circling above Phuket International Airport until concern about windshear abated.
Serious concerns will be held for any small boats that put to sea today despite warnings of poor conditions. The storm that smashed Phuket City before 9am was gusting up to and possibly beyond 60kmh, according to Phuket-based weather forecasters.
''Billboards are likely to topple in these winds and we would advise all vessels to stay close to shore today and tomorrow,'' a spokesperson said.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is preparing for flooding and landslips, with low-lying areas of Phuket - particularly in Patong and Chalong - likely to suffer. Motorists are advised to avoid making unnecessary trips until the rain eases a little.
According to the forecasters, that should be on Thursday. Conditions are no better elsewhere along the Andaman coast, with strong winds generated by the arrival of the monsoon and Typhoon Kalmaegi also lashing Krabi and Phang Nga.
Gusts are expected to drive waves that are normally two to three metres in height to four to six metres, as strong winds precede storms.
Parts of Phuket are expected to receive 40-50mm of rain today, rising up to 80mm in parts.
Landslips are becoming a real concern. The DDPM is always prepared for emergencies but the longer this week-long storm goes, the greater the chances of soft earth becoming sodden and heading downhill.
Our papaya tree fell..that's how bad it is!
Posted by LJ on September 16, 2014 09:29