Phuket deadly landslide leaves officials scrambling for answers

In the wake of a tragic landslide that claimed the lives of 13 people, including several foreign nationals, government officials in Phuket are urgently consulting experts to investigate the disaster and prevent future incidents. The landslides occurred in the Nak Kerd mountain range in tambon Karon, leading to significant loss of life and property damage.

Immediate Government Response

Phuket's Provincial Governor, Sophon Suwannarat, announced that the provincial office has reached out to the permanent secretary of natural resources and environment. The goal is to enlist expert assistance to determine the root cause of the landslides and develop strategies to prevent similar disasters in the future. The investigation will focus on the Nak Kerd mountain range, the epicenter of last Friday’s devastating landslide.

Impact of the Landslides

The landslide tragedy resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, including two Russians and nine Myanmar nationals. In addition to the fatalities, 19 people were injured, with 14 already discharged from the hospital. The local authorities have been coordinating with the Russian Consular Office and the Myanmar Embassy to manage the aftermath and provide support to the victims' families.

Cause of the Disaster

The disaster was triggered by relentless heavy rainfall that began on Thursday morning, leading to flash floods and landslides across tambons Rawai and Chalong. Government reports indicate that topsoil and massive boulders slid down the mountain, causing extensive damage to local communities and tourist facilities.

Local sources revealed that a temple and a large Buddha image are situated at the mountain’s peak. An aerial photo shared on a Phuket news Facebook page shows subsidence near the base of the Buddha image, raising concerns that the construction and land clearing activities may have contributed to the instability of the mountainside.

Community Concerns

Trin Sapmongkol, an official at the Thamon Karon municipal office, highlighted that the Buddha image required a substantial tract of land for its construction. The project involved clearing away trees, leaving the land bare and more vulnerable to erosion and landslides. Trin mentioned that local residents had long feared such a disaster would occur, and their concerns were tragically realized.

Plans for the Buddha image initially called for a smaller structure to be built 22 years ago. However, over time, the project expanded significantly, without a clear completion date, potentially exacerbating the environmental risks.

Calls for Further Investigation

Chalong Loysamut, a local resident, is petitioning Deputy Governor Sattha Thongkham and a local Member of Parliament to investigate the cause of the landslides. The local community is demanding a thorough investigation to ensure that any contributing factors are identified and addressed to prevent future tragedies.

Conclusion

As the investigation into the landslide disaster in Phuket unfolds, government officials and experts will be working to determine the cause of the tragedy and implement measures to prevent future incidents. The loss of life and the damage caused by the landslides have left the local community in mourning, with many calling for more stringent oversight of construction and land use practices in vulnerable areas.