UPDATE: Phuket officials prepare for flooding as heavy-rain warning continues through 7 October

Phuket authorities have put provincial agencies on standby and inspected known flood-risk areas as a Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warning for heavy to very heavy rain, gusty winds and flash-flood risk remains in effect through 7 October 2026. Provincial preparations also cover possible landslides and rough seas.

TMD Warning No. 9, issued on 5 October, forecasts unstable conditions, heavy to very heavy rain and gusty winds across upper Thailand through 7 October. It warns that heavy or accumulated rainfall could cause flash floods and forest run-off, particularly near foothills, waterways and low-lying areas. Hail is also included among the hazards in the wider warning.

The warning again includes Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun among the affected southern provinces. TMD’s 4 October forecast covered 32 provinces and listed Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun for scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain, with thunderstorms forecast across 60% of the area. The upper South was expected to see the main effects on 5 and 6 October, although the warning period runs through 7 October. Standing water remains possible where drainage is limited.

TMD said the weather pattern is being driven by a high-pressure system from China interacting with the southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

The 4 October southern forecast gave minimum temperatures of 23–25°C and maximum temperatures of 33–35°C. Winds and waves in the Andaman Sea are expected to strengthen. Waves were forecast at around one metre but may exceed two metres during thundershowers. The 5 October warning also said waves in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand could exceed two metres in thunderstorm areas.

On 6 October, Governor Chotinarin Kerdom joined a Southern Region flood and drought prevention meeting by video conference. A 7 October report by The Phuket News said provincial agencies had been instructed to remain on standby for heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides and rough seas.

Wasan Chai-taweewong, director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center Region 18 in Phuket, said 62 designated flood-risk points had been identified for some time. Water pumps were installed and ready at 27 of them, with 18 operated by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, eight by Phuket City Municipality and one by DDPM Region 18. He said not every location could accommodate a pump because of geographical and site limitations.

The province has also identified 21 villages or communities in Kathu District, 15 in Mueang Phuket and 13 in Thalang as being at risk of flash floods and landslides. More than 8,000 sandbags have been prepared, along with relief supplies and drinking water, while rescue units and local Civil Defence Volunteer centres have been placed on standby. Eight water-propulsion units have been pre-positioned at Khlong Tha Khraeng, the Third Naval Area Command residential area, Khlong Pak Bang in Karon, Kamala 100th Anniversary Park and Khlong Sene Pho in Cherng Talay. Two pumps have also been installed in the Pak Nam area of Chalong, where construction is under way, to support drainage.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) officials inspected six locations in Kathu and Ratsada on 6 October where water is known to collect before draining. At Wat Kathu Curve, they found hillside run-off carrying mud and silt onto the road and recommended regular dredging and clearing of drainage channels. Near D-Condo, by the entrance to Kajonkiet International School, officials said a sloping road acts as a collection point before water drains into a reservoir; dredging pipes and removing obstructions were proposed.

On the bypass road in front of Hyundai Phuket, run-off from both sides of the road and a hillside converges during heavy rain. Officials said water can remain on the road for about 15–30 minutes and recommended dredging the drainage pipes. At Soi Boat Pattana 1, they proposed a direct drainage pipe to a nearby reservoir and additional pumps. At Soi Nawarak, artificial turf outside shops and household and commercial waste were identified as possible obstructions. At the shrine on Soi Phaniang in Samkong, officials identified an undersized drainage pipe that can leave water pooled for 30–60 minutes; increasing the pipe size and clearing obstructions were proposed.

Patong remains vulnerable to recurring drainage problems during heavy rain. Wasan said local authorities had been excavating and inspecting drainage systems, but intense rainfall over a short period can still overwhelm the network. When water rises above a canal and then falls, water can remain outside the canal and has to be removed by pumps.

The Phuket News reported that heavy downpours the previous night were not widespread across the island. Continuous rain was reported in Mueang Phuket and Kathu, while Thalang was largely unaffected. Water levels in the main canals remained normal. Wasan said the situation should not be considered a canal-overflow event while those levels remain normal, but warned that the flood risk would increase significantly if they rose abnormally.

Kamala, Patong, Kata and Karon have been identified as areas requiring advance deployment of machinery if continuous rain occurs or rainfall exceeds 100 millimetres. Kamala has four designated temporary shelters, including Kamala Child Development Center, which can accommodate about 200–250 people, and Phadungsat Mosque, which can accommodate about 100. Authorities have also identified landslide-prone locations and high-wave surveillance points in Kamala. Warning systems are being coordinated through government channels, public-address systems, online media, village and subdistrict officials and warning towers.

The Phuket Regional Marine Office, Third Naval Area Command and Marine Police are coordinating maritime safety measures and warnings for small vessels. Residents should continue to monitor weather updates, watch for gusty winds and avoid open areas, large trees and unsecured billboards during thunderstorms. They should also check drains around their properties and clear leaves, rubbish and other obstructions. Blocked drains or other drainage problems should be reported to local authorities or DDPM Phuket. Mariners should check weather and sea conditions before travelling, navigate carefully and avoid areas affected by thundershowers.