PHUKET: A forecast wet weekend could mean that while small boats could be banned from taking to the sea, residents on Phuket may need flotation devices to keep their heads above water.

The rain gauge at Phuket International Airport recorded 204mm between 1am and 1pm today - and officials in Patong argued that the deluge did not produce real flooding, just a ''temporary halt to the regular flow of unwanted water.''

Meteorological officials on Phuket predict the possibility of more ''temporary halts to the regular flow'' over the weekend.

Wiwat Intarapanich, director of the Phuket-based Southern Meteorological Centre (West Coast), said his advice would be for small boats not to put to sea.

But the official word to make doing that a fineable offence has to come from Phuket Marine Office 5 director, Phuripat Theerakulpisut.

Officials in Phuket City have established a hotline number at 199 for residents who find their homes or businesses under water in coming days.

Officials advised that by the afternoon, most of the water on Phuket had flown.

In Phuket City during the morning, a depth of 20 centimetres was evident at Damrung Road, Surin Road Soi 2 and Chalermprakeat Park.

Rawai officials reported that Chalong Circle was under 30 centimetres of water but it had cleared by the afternoon.

In neighboring Chalong, officials said water reached about 80 centimetres in depth near HomePro and also at the TOT offices in Chao Fa West Road.

Patong officials created the alternative of a ''temporary halt to the regular flow of unwanted water.'' No floods are expected in all the usual places again this weekend.