Karon orders evacuation near site of deadly 2024 Kata landslide
Residents at specified high-risk addresses near Wat Kata have been told to evacuate temporarily as heavy rain raises the risk of flooding and landslides.
Karon Municipality has ordered residents at specified high-risk addresses near Wat Kata to evacuate temporarily as heavy rain continues across Phuket and raises the risk of flooding and landslides.
The warning, posted at 12:24pm on Thursday, 29 October, applies particularly to homes in Soi Patak 2, Soi Patak 4 and Soi Patak 6. Residents were told to move to a safe location or one of two designated evacuation centres: Baan Kata School, also known as Trithat Uppatham, and Wat Suwan Khiri Khet, also known as Wat Karon.
The municipality said the warning was partly based on a risk assessment by Assoc Prof Dr Suttisak Soralump, an expert in landslide engineering and disaster management. The assessment maps potential mudflow routes through the area.
Residents were advised to take essential documents, medicines and other necessities, and to give particular attention to children, older people, people with disabilities and bedridden patients. They were also told to stay away from foothills, waterways and steep slopes during heavy rain, and not to return to affected areas until officials confirm they are safe.
The warning covers an area hit by the 23 August 2024 landslide behind Wat Kata, on the hillside below the Big Buddha site. The disaster killed 13 people, injured 19 and damaged or destroyed more than 50 houses. Although widely known as the Kata landslide, the affected area is in Karon Subdistrict.
The latest order does not indicate that a new landslide has occurred. It is a precautionary measure in response to heavy rainfall and the possibility of further slope failures.
Phuket authorities reported flooding at 21 locations on Thursday, including in Kata, Karon, Chalong, Rawai and Phuket Town. Karon Municipality also warned of flooding on local roads, including Khok Tanot Road, which was temporarily closed because of rain and floodwater.
The wider provincial warning covers flash floods, landslides, rockfalls, mudslides, strong winds and high waves. Residents have been urged to avoid flooded roads and vulnerable hillside areas and to monitor official announcements.
