PHUKET: These dramatic photographs by a Phuketwan reader show the scale of gridlock on Phuket triggered by a massive early morning downpour.
The Meteorological Department said 170mm fell in a couple of hours.
A Phuket International Airport spokesperson said two Thai Airways flights to Bangkok were delayed for passengers to arrive.
This afternoon, as Phuket dried out and mopped up, forecasters revised their prediction of more rain in the 80 to 100 percent category to 60 percent for today.
This morning's huge storm coincided with a high tide at sea that meant the water flowing off Phuket had nowhere to go and backed up into canals and then streets.
Locals could not remember a downpour like it. The downpour also left Phuket City's Old Phuket Town region under deep flood, as the album above also shows.
For once, Patong on Phuket's west coast was not struck as badly as Phuket City on Phuket's east coast. Patong Hospital escaped flooding, although some nearby streets went under.
Belately, about 10.30am authorities at Phuket Provincial issued as statement advising: ''Please avoid these areas until the water levels return to normal.''
Part of the Patong Hill road - halfway between the hilltop temple and Patong - has collapsed due to the heavy rain.
There have also been reports of flooding and long traffic delays around Phuket
Parts of Old Phuket Town are flooded, including Dibuk Road, Yaowarat Road and Phang Nga Road with major delays on Thepkrassattri Rd south of the Heroines Monument, with deep floods close to Wat Tha Reua and in Koh Keaw.
At least two schools in Phuket City were closed for the day.
Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes or stay at home.
In a second media release, Phuket authorities named four flooded areas on Thepkrassattri Road as:
..Sapham Junction
..In front of the Isuzu showroom
..Tarua village area
.. in front of the Susco company
Motorists heading for the airport or travelling north off Phuket from Phuket City are advised to start at Central Festival, avoid the Bypass Road and instead travel towards Patong until you reach the turnoff to the Phuket Mining Museum.
This road meets up with the road behind the British International School, which avoids the worst hit areas of Thepkrassattri.
People are also advised to avoid the following areas in Phuket: Gomarabhat junction, Satree Phuket junction, Taw Nahm junction, Talang Road, Yaowarat Road, Ranong Road, Rassada Road, Bangkok Road and Suriyadet circle.
The Meteorological Department said 170mm fell in a couple of hours.
A Phuket International Airport spokesperson said two Thai Airways flights to Bangkok were delayed for passengers to arrive.
This afternoon, as Phuket dried out and mopped up, forecasters revised their prediction of more rain in the 80 to 100 percent category to 60 percent for today.
This morning's huge storm coincided with a high tide at sea that meant the water flowing off Phuket had nowhere to go and backed up into canals and then streets.
Locals could not remember a downpour like it. The downpour also left Phuket City's Old Phuket Town region under deep flood, as the album above also shows.
For once, Patong on Phuket's west coast was not struck as badly as Phuket City on Phuket's east coast. Patong Hospital escaped flooding, although some nearby streets went under.
Belately, about 10.30am authorities at Phuket Provincial issued as statement advising: ''Please avoid these areas until the water levels return to normal.''
Part of the Patong Hill road - halfway between the hilltop temple and Patong - has collapsed due to the heavy rain.
There have also been reports of flooding and long traffic delays around Phuket
Parts of Old Phuket Town are flooded, including Dibuk Road, Yaowarat Road and Phang Nga Road with major delays on Thepkrassattri Rd south of the Heroines Monument, with deep floods close to Wat Tha Reua and in Koh Keaw.
At least two schools in Phuket City were closed for the day.
Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes or stay at home.
In a second media release, Phuket authorities named four flooded areas on Thepkrassattri Road as:
..Sapham Junction
..In front of the Isuzu showroom
..Tarua village area
.. in front of the Susco company
Motorists heading for the airport or travelling north off Phuket from Phuket City are advised to start at Central Festival, avoid the Bypass Road and instead travel towards Patong until you reach the turnoff to the Phuket Mining Museum.
This road meets up with the road behind the British International School, which avoids the worst hit areas of Thepkrassattri.
People are also advised to avoid the following areas in Phuket: Gomarabhat junction, Satree Phuket junction, Taw Nahm junction, Talang Road, Yaowarat Road, Ranong Road, Rassada Road, Bangkok Road and Suriyadet circle.
