Phuket on alert for landslides

[Nicke]

PHUKET, May 12 (TNA) - Officials in Thailand's southern resort province of Phuket are closely monitoring the province amid fears that recent heavy rain could lead to landslides.

Today the province's chief disaster prevention and mitigation official, Mr. Nakhon Thipsat, told reporters that the province had drawn up landslide plans last year, and was fully prepared for the possibility for any contingencies.

Capable of retaining huge amounts of water, the soil in the hilly island Phuket puts the province at high landslide risk, particularly when there are several consecutive days of rain.

Phuket has recently been experiencing severe monsoon conditions, and the local Meteorological Office has warned boats not to leave the shore.

Local seas are witnessing waves of up to three metres in height, while around 80 percent of the island is experiencing torrential rain and thunderstorms.

Mr. Nakhon said that officials from the local disaster prevention and mitigation office were conducting regular surveys in areas thought to be at risk. (TNA)