Phuket designates four Karon villages as a flood disaster area

Military personnel walk along a mud-covered road as floodwaters continue to flow through parts of Patong, Kathu district, following continuous heavy rainfall that triggered flash floods and mudslides in the area, in Phuket, Thailand October 26, 2026. - Photo: Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office/Handout via Reuters

BANGKOK: Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom has declared four villages in Karon subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district, a flood disaster area following heavy rainfall and strong winds that raised the risk of flash floods, overflowing waterways, runoff and landslides.

The declaration, issued under Phuket Provincial Announcement No. 23/2026 and dated Oct 29, covers villages 1–4 in Karon, where flooding was recorded at noon on Oct 23.

The provincial administration said the flooding had affected the public and posed risks to people's lives, physical safety and property, including government assets.

The situation was therefore classified as a disaster under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act 2007.

Rescue workers and a police officer help move a motorcycle through landslide debris in Patong, Kathu district, as authorities clear debris after heavy rain triggered flash floods and mudslides, in Phuket, Thailand Oct 26, 2026. - Photo: Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office/Handout via Reuters

Monsoon conditions bring prolonged heavy rain

The province attributed the flooding to changing monsoon conditions that brought sustained rainfall and gusty winds to Phuket.

Initially, a monsoon trough extended across the lower South, while the southwesterly monsoon prevailed over the lower Andaman Sea.

The monsoon trough subsequently shifted northwards across the upper South and upper Gulf of Thailand, bringing rain and heavy downpours to several parts of Phuket.

- Photo: The Nation/ANN

Prolonged rainfall over several hours increased the risk of flash floods, overflowing waterways, rapid runoff and mudslides, particularly in vulnerable areas.

Disaster declaration enables faster response

As Phuket's provincial disaster management director, Chotinarin issued the declaration to facilitate emergency operations in accordance with the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan.

The designation allows relevant government agencies, local administrative organisations and private-sector partners to carry out their responsibilities in the affected areas without delay.

A worker walks through rocks and mud brought down by flash floods and a landslide that inundated roads in Patong, Kathu district, as authorities clear debris after heavy rain triggered flash floods and mudslides, in Phuket, Thailand Oct 26, 2026. - Photo: Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office/Handout via Reuters

Disaster-management measures will be implemented under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act 2007, the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan 2021–2027 and Phuket's provincial disaster prevention and mitigation plan.

Other relevant laws, regulations, orders, announcements and Cabinet resolutions will also apply.

The declaration is intended to support coordinated disaster response and assistance for residents affected by flooding in the four designated villages of Karon. - The Nation/ANN