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Wicked Weather: Big Wet Tipped to Flood Phuket, Andaman All Week
By Chutima Sidasathian Monday, August 3, 2015
PHUKET: Heavy rain is likely to fall across Phuket and the neighboring Andaman provinces from today through until Saturday, according to forecasters, with motorists being warned to expect flooding.
Downpours overnight brought rising water levels on the holiday island, with Phuketwan readers reporting slow traffic because of flooding around Chalong Circle, Nai Harn and Kata.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation issued a warning that heavy rain was already creating trouble spots on Thepkasattri Road, the island's main artery, near the SuperCheap store.
''Low-lying areas of Rawai and Chalong are also expected to go under,'' a spokesperson said.
Rain means that, as a matter of course, sections of Patong automatically flood, sometimes making it impossible for motorcycles to get through.
Work constructing underpasses in Phuket City is likely to add to the complications of motorists. Departing tourists will need to allow extra time to reach Phuket International Airport.
''Never seen anything like it,'' wrote one Phuketwan reader today. ''Our yards are flooded and there is a knee deep river running along the road into the village drainage system which cannot handle the amount of water.
''Time to buy a ex army duck.''
Saturated earth collapsed a roadside wall in Phuket City alongside Thepkasattri Road, bringing a power pole toppling in the process.
The Big Wet will at least mean that Phuket's reservoirs receive a much-needed top-up. Mains water supplies have been dwindling.
Forecasters predict heavy rain throughout Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga all week, with small boats advised to put to sea only if necessary and to show caution.
Elsewhere across Thailand, heavy rain is expected to cause flooding in Isarn provinces that have been suffering from drought.
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Comments
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Never seen anything like it, Our yards are flooded and there is a knee deep river running along the road into the village drainage system which cannot handle the amount of water,
Time to buy a ex army duck
Posted by
peter allen
on
August 3, 2015 09:32
How in the world does heavy rain cause the power poles to come out of the ground?
Oh I forgot, it's Thailand. There are no inspectors to assure the work is done properly.
Posted by
Randy
on
August 3, 2015 09:44
flooding at tesco intersection outside billion plaza this a.m... traffic turning in single file wary of falling into a ditch..
Posted by
another steve
on
August 3, 2015 10:17
If thai authorities all over Thailand start water catching/saving infrastructural planning/handling for just 50% of rainfall in Thailand, than there would be never a drought in this country.
Posted by
Kurt
on
August 3, 2015 14:05
Low-lying areas of Chalong expected to go under? Of course they were/are under! Specially the Chalong circle and Homepro Village area. As usual.
That will be 3 years fun, to see the Chalong underpass to be build.
Posted by
Kurt
on
August 3, 2015 14:53
Kurt,
The majority of stormwater runoff from urban environments is unfit for consumption. It is contaminated by oils, poison, insecticides, rubber dust, household chemicals, animal dung and just general rubbish.
Land used as a catchments for either potable or domestic water needs to e secured to prevent this contamination otherwise the cost to remove them is more expensive than producing fresh water from a desalination plant.
Posted by
MoW
on
August 3, 2015 17:18
MoW
Could maybe be catched/handled before it became urban environment runoff?
Posted by
yoki
on
August 3, 2015 19:20
Dear MoW, I was not talking about stormwater runoff. You are very right about your explaining. I agree. I ment gatching water in water basins. A few months ago I was in Holland, Amsterdam international airport built on the bottom of a sea, 5 meters belowe sea level. always dry! 50% of Holland is below sea level, because good water management no problem, people keep the industries dry!
I did visit enormous greenhouse projects, for plants ,flowers, fruit, vegetables, all watered by computerized sprinkler systems. And what we see there? Outside the enormous green houses are same size water basins to catch the rainwater. The farmers are self sufficient, have free clean water. It is time Thailand with all her flooding is starting water management istead of talking about drought now, flooding next month. The dutch water management people work all over the world ( even made in no time a 2nd Suez canal!). But Thailand? Yes, what is Thailand doing?
Posted by
Kurt
on
August 3, 2015 19:27
Kurt,
It is hard to compare the resources and technology available in a developed country with that available in Thailand.
Of course it is easy to do where funding for these projects is available and ongoing maintenance also supported.
The two situations cannot be compared. In Thailand, they cannot supply potable water fit for consumption and in developed countries we flush toilets, water our gardens and hose down footpaths with the same water we consume.
Planning of infrastructure should be done on the basis of what will be required in 30 to 50 years and it is difficult to see any level of planning for the basic needs in Thailand beyond what is required on any given day.
Visionary politicians looking at future requirements no longer exist nor do they push the limits beyond today's technology and budget constraints.
In the last 50 years is is difficult to remember one politician who pushed the limits since JFK's "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard"
Posted by
MoW
on
August 3, 2015 20:04
Yoki,
Where this is possible and can be done at a scale to suit the demand, you are correct.
The general situation for most cities is that suitable catchments do not exist where demand is greatest. The obvious reasons are development, local land prices, suitable terrain and local pollution.
So the catchment, storage and treatment plants are often located hundreds of kms from the area of demand.
The selection of suitable terrain to build a dam with a undeveloped natural catchment area sized to meet the required storage capacity and supply, matched to a predictable average annual rainfall is more difficult.
The cost of installing pipework from the storage facility to a central point of demand is not that high in comparison to the cost of the distribution network but in the end all decisions are based on whether those in control think it is necessary and how much money is available.
Posted by
MoW
on
August 3, 2015 20:45
I wonder how come there is a thriving community of people who have made houses surrounding the water treatment plant in Baan Jo. I thought that was a secured area too? Just think of where their body wastes go, yip your shower water.Only glad my water comes from Kathu.
Posted by
Duncan
on
August 3, 2015 21:22
There were no such weather reports so far today from Western Andaman coast a.k.a. "Khao Lak":
I've cycled a return trip KhukKhak beach - BangSak beach, ca. 30 km. in total, it was almost completely overcast, with rain intensity fluctuating from "few drops" to "light rain", no moderate rain, and of course , no flooding - road surface just damp.
Actually, absolutely comfortable weather conditions for such activity - would it be sunny, it would require continuous intake of electrolytes in volume, and , then continuous release there of to the Mother Nature.
Light rain, surely, saved that Evian water, that comes with spray pump, and provided enjoyable refreshment.
Would intensity of rain be be higher, it surely , would be not that comfortable.
BangSak seas exuded zero appeal for safe bathing, but on KhukKhak beach at low tide, and, hence low waves, bathing was perfectly enjoyable, especially with a light rain effect.
I had a lunch at Khon Tong Sue Seafood at BangSak beach - just at the beginning of the road that goes along BangSak shoreline further to Sentido, right after turn from the Route 4 at sign "Hadson resort".
The Sue offers live or fresh seafood, served either at seaside shackles, or at tables put on a sand as far as 15 metres from the high tide line.
The price level in my opinion is good.
No words in English has been spoken, just Thai - and I have not identified double pricing there, compared few items from monoThai menu to EN-TH version.
I've got live Black Crabs in yellow curry - they charge 600THB/kg, but minimum for 500gr. - Poo Dam-s, albeit healthy, were of mini-size - 2crabs formed a portion of a bit above 0.5kg.
Hoy Chokdee clams(Wing Clams) were fresh also - however, in my perception, a bit to pricey - 150THB for a portion of steamed ones , but again - they do set a minimum charge e.g. for a grilled Squid for 300 gr. , and for a weight for Pla Muek Yang ir goes 50THB/100gr.
Fish is 50THB/100gr., minimum for 700gr.
Tiger Prawns -as stated in menu - comes at 90 or 120THB/100gr. with a minimum 300gr. order - haven't inspected
Most other main dishes that doesn't go by weight - Dtom Yum Goong, chicken/pork stuff is at 120THB.
Som Tam/Fried Rice 70 THB.
It's clear that on weekend or at good weather booking is necessary, there is a mobile ph. for that.
Food arrived in 10 minutes after the order was put.
Poo Dam Pong Gaeng Karee - was indeed excellent, all ingredients in a good proportion, nothing is missed, proportion of crabs itself and other stuff was right too. It is one of my most favorite Thai dishes, so I have tried a good deal of this stuff, and this particular one was really good one,s o all lover of stir-fried black crabs in yellow curry powder,so I can fairly positively recommend The Sue.
Quite an informal style, and in Thai, resulted that when I asked an extra spoon, I have been reprimanded that I have already one ( and no extra spoon will arrive) :)
No bowl for washing hands has been provided, you have to use tissues fro cleaning hands, and then WC - but the toilet is very very clean.
Overall impression from BangSak beach is very good - the sand is nice, clean, jungle vistas other side of the beach road are adorable, there is a clean public toilet after Tsunami watching tower (remember Kata and Patong beach toilets..), there is fitness park that is in good technical order, and no territorial dogs.
The route after Laem Pakarang/WhiteSandBeach intersection on Pechkaserm rd. is quite scenic, few buildings and a diverse tropical flora, as good as in good botanical garden.
In the evening there was zero of rain, but light breeze, so alfresco seaside dinner was also enjoyable.
Let's hope that storms will subside on Phuket, and will not reach Western PhangNga at all - so far as per last forecast , are scheduled for We.-Fr.
Posted by
Sue
on
August 4, 2015 00:42
In Thailand it was never necessary to struggle with the nature.
The country knows no frost, no snow, no serious droughts, no volcano eruptions.
The woods are full of animals and plants, the soil is fertile and the sea full of fish.
Even all the garbage in the roadsides is mercifully hidden by nature.
But just the harsh natural conditions make people creative and force them to the wise handling of the resources.
The Netherlands are a good example, compare it with Bangladesh.
It is certainly not easy, people who live in climatically paradis to explain why they should be careful in usage of resources.
The people here seems not to be very happy when they are taught, for example, about healthy eating or road hazards.
Clever water management is not on top of the agenda. Water come water go, sometimes less sometimes more, this is ok.
Posted by
Georg The Viking
on
August 4, 2015 09:33
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Never seen anything like it, Our yards are flooded and there is a knee deep river running along the road into the village drainage system which cannot handle the amount of water,
Time to buy a ex army duck
Posted by peter allen on August 3, 2015 09:32