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PARTS of Patong were still awash at 2am Monday after driving rain lashed most of Phuket. The west coast holiday hub disappears under water because canals have been built over.
Original Report
PHUKET: A downpour flooded Soi Bangla and other parts of Patong and the Tesco Lotus intersection in Phuket City tonight - and forced a postponement of the Phuket FC football match.
At Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong, police cars were half-submerged in floodwaters. At midnight, hours after the rain began falling, the water kept rising.
Flooding in Patong tonight was reported to be deep around the Patong Hospital area where the facility has built what amounts to a sea wall to keep out unwanted water.
The game against PTT Rayong was suspended five minutes into the second half with the score at 0-0 when the deluge proved overwhelming.
About the same time in Patong's Soi Bangla, soaked tourists gave up on the bars and headed for home. Water was even deeper in Soi Sansabai.
An 11am warning issued from the Phuket-based Southern Meteorological Centre (West Coast) forecast heavy weather today with worse to come on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Small boats are being advised not to put to sea (and tourists are advised not to leave the shore.
Experts have said that so many canals in and around Patong have been covered or filled in that even sophisticated pumps will never be able to solve Patong's flooding.
In Phuket City, initial reports said that the Tesco Lotus intersection was the only part under water. However, heavy weather could bring flooding in the next few days if the forecast proves correct.
A shame the experts didn't come forward before the canals were filled in. As ye sow so shall ye reap!
Posted by Mister Ree on June 9, 2013 22:45
Editor Comment:
Oh, I'm sure there were people who advised against it. Probably many people. But with big money to be made . . .