SURAT THANI, Thailand – Heavy and continuous rainfall has caused the Sok River to rise rapidly, triggering flash floods that swept into homes and riverside resorts in Phanom district, Surat Thani, prompting emergency teams to evacuate stranded residents and tourists, September 19. Officers from Khao Sok National Park joined Phanom Rescue Foundation and Takun Rescue teams in deploying personnel and equipment to assist people and foreign tourists trapped at riverside resorts.
With strong currents making access difficult, rescuers used rubber boats and safety ropes to move people out of the flooded areas in groups. Residents and tourists were brought to safety, while park officials and rescue workers established a temporary coordination centre to monitor water levels and maintain emergency operations around the clock.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) also deployed high-clearance emergency vehicles to evacuate Thai and foreign tourists affected by flooding along Highway 401.
Floodwater covered the road at kilometre 66+600, corresponding to the former kilometre 85+000 marker, making the route impassable for small vehicles.
The DDPM’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre Region 11 in Surat Thani sent vehicles capable of travelling through deep floodwater to assist with evacuations. The Surat Thani Highway District 3 (Wiang Sa) temporarily closed the affected section of the highway and advised motorists to use Highway 4118 as an alternative route for travel towards Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga. Authorities continue to monitor rainfall, river levels and flood conditions closely as rescue and evacuation operations remain underway. (TNA)
