On Thursday morning Sept. 17 our reporters surveyed the damage after four days of heavy rains from tropical storm Vamco.
Vamco has been one of the most disastrous storms in the last five years had battered the city, brought traffic to a standstill and flooded countless homes and businesses.
Citizens brace for more downpours in the next two days
On Thursday morning Sept. 17 our reporters surveyed the damage after four days of heavy rains from tropical storm Vamco.
Vamco has been one of the most disastrous storms in the last five years had battered the city, brought traffic to a standstill and flooded countless homes and businesses.
Tropical Storm Vamco formed in the South China Sea on September 13, 2015 and went ashore to Vietnam, before continuing to the South and Eastern Region of Thailand. The first heavy rainfall to reach Pattaya was on the evening of September 14, where construction camps in East Pattaya were wiped out within the night.
Pattaya Beach pavement near Soi 6/1 was completely destroyed.
The storm continued to dominate the area the next day and continued throughout the night. September 16th seen the rain ease throughout the day and as the sun started to set, Vamco unleashed 5 hours of continuous heavy rain that brought the city to its knees.
Many parts of Pattaya were now under water, many roads were inaccessible and short journey were turned into nightmares with people taking hours to get home or chose to seek shelter enroute.
Pattaya Beach was full of rubbish and clams that was washed up by the waves.
Alfie Well of Lakeview Properties located by Lake Mabprachan said, “Luckily our office lies higher than those in Pattaya and we were not flooded and I have had no reports from my customers. However last night along Siam Country Club Road many of the roads at low points were flooded and I saw many bikes and cars stranded. I do feel very sorry for all the people that have been flooded out of the homes and businesses.”
Small cars and motorbikes were damaged and were even seen floating down the roads in east Pattaya as the roads turned into streaming rivers, washing carts, trash bins, noodle stalls, temporary shops, tables and chairs through its path.
The tunnel outlet near Soi 6/1, Pattaya Beach Road.
Jimmy Malone a resident on Pratamnak Hill had this to say about last night’s deluge, “Our outside 6th floor Roof terrace doors and ceiling fans were torn off and some power was lost at 6 p.m. on Wednesday night and our ground floor emergency pump had no power. Today we lost all power at 2 p.m. but thankfully it was restored after just one hour.”
Another area that was heavily affected was on the highway that connects to Route 331 in Huay Yai district. At one section the road collapsed and was entirely ripped away near a bridge, a car fell into the hole and rescue teams tried to save it but the flood waters took the vehicle away. This area has now been sealed off and no one can pass.
The balcony area near Royal Garden Plaza was full of rubbish as well.
Contractors moaned as new pavements and walkways along Pattaya & Jomtien Beach eroded and were destroyed, especially Jomtien Beach where a massive facelift project is currently being undertaken. Huge cement blocks and tiles were broken to bits as it couldn’t withstand the force of water. Contractors said that they have no option but will have to wait and clean up the mess before re-doing the walk path.
Many large trees on Pattaya Beach Road were wiped out.
Pattaya Beach was full of rubbish and clams were washed up by the waves. Residents were seen on the beach collecting the clams while authorities started to collect the rubbish.
The Vamco has yet to move out in the next few days according to the weather forecast and more damage is to be expected.
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The drainage outlet near Walking Street had lots of water coming out all day long.
Jomtien Beach area received lots of damage.
Sand bags couldn’t deal with the massive amount of water on Jomtien Beach Road.
Sand erosion was of course expected after the heavy flood (Jomtien Beach)
Workers on Jomtien Beach walk pavements halted construction during the storm.
Jomtien Second Road was re-surfaced with mud and sand along the entire stretch after the flood.
Huge trucks were required to tow away all the rubbish that was washed up on the beaches.
A typical example of how high the flood waters were around Pattaya
Many local residents spent the night trying to save precious belongings.
