A major clean-up operation has been launched in Phuket to restore areas affected by severe flooding after the region was hit by a southwest monsoon depression on June 30, 2024. The floods prompted officials to declare disaster areas in the Kathu and Thalang districts, impacting 1,468 residents.
The heavy rains caused significant damage in Kathu and Thalang, affecting seven sub-districts, 41 villages, four communities, and 740 households. Despite most areas starting to recover by July 1, sections of Thepkrasattri sub-district, specifically Muu 4 and Muu 6, remained underwater. Governor Sophon Suwannarat declared these districts disaster zones, necessitating emergency relief efforts. In Kathu, 45 individuals from 50 households were affected, while in Thalang, 1,423 people from 690 households faced similar hardships.
Efforts to aid the residents included a substantial clean-up initiative organized in the Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organization within Kathu district. Volunteers undertook the task of cleaning streets and homes to expedite the return to normalcy. Governor Suwannarat stressed the importance of continued monitoring and action in flooded areas, especially given the altered flood dynamics due to recent housing developments. Additional water pumps were installed to enhance drainage efficiency, responding to the 310 mm of rainfall that overwhelmed the narrow drainage systems. The provincial emergency command center remains active, advising affected residents to seek local assistance and be cautious of health risks and electrical hazards in submerged buildings.
According to Prachachat, numerous housing projects have sustained damage, with some still experiencing flooding. Residents have sought aid through Line messaging groups for two notably affected projects:
- Pruksa Ville Thalang-Thepkrasattri: Located on Ban Prusamphan Road in the Thepkrasattri sub-district of Thalang, this townhouse project, 1.1 kilometers from a major artery, Thepkrasattri Road, has seen eight floods in five years. Each house in this project costs around 4 million baht.
- Passorn Koh Kaew Village: Situated at 33 Koh Kaew Avenue on Thepkrasattri Road, Koh Kaew Sub-district, Mueang Phuket District, this village faced severe damage when a 2-meter high dam collapsed, releasing mud and debris into the area.
Additionally, the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Naval Area Command has deployed personnel and equipment to assist in the recovery efforts, including managing traffic on Thepkrasattri Road. These efforts underscore the ongoing commitment to restoring normalcy and providing relief to those affected by this natural disaster.