Torrential rain during the night of Sept. 14 throughout the city and the surroundings caused severe flooding in low-lying areas and especially in Pong sub-district.
Highway 7 around the Kratinglai intersection of Highway 36 was the worst hit with waters rising almost one and a half metres.
Metre high flood paralyses traffic on Highway 7
Torrential rain during the night of Sept. 14 throughout the city and the surroundings caused severe flooding in low-lying areas and especially in Pong sub-district.
Highway 7 around the Kratinglai intersection of Highway 36 was the worst hit with waters rising almost one and a half metres.
Traffic was at a standstill and it was reported that 2 vehicles that tried to drive through the flood were totally inundated.
Heavy rains fell over Pattaya for over 2 hours beginning at 8 p.m. City authorities worked for almost 3 hours with the help of heavy duty pumps to drain most of the water off the road, but more than 30 centimeters of water still remained on the road surface.
Two brave drivers courageously charge through the flooded Highway 7.
Anusorn Kaewkangwan, deputy director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department had put out a warning earlier, stating that central, southern and eastern regions of Thailand were at risk of heavy floods during September 13-17, as the region lies in the path of tropical storm Vamco. Heavy wind and thunder showers were expected particularly in the Gulf of Thailand.
Recent reports from the Meteorological Department stated that at 04.00 a.m. (16 September), the low pressure cell downgraded from tropical depression “Vamco” still covered the lower Northeast and The East. Widespread rain and isolated heavy to very heavy rain remain over the lower Northeast, the Central and the East.
One of two vehicles that didn’t make it through the floods. The driver is seen sitting on the roof waiting to be rescued.
People should beware of heavy rain and accumulated rainfall. The provinces include Ubon Ratchathani, Si Saket, Surin, Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Chanthaburi and Trat.
Strong winds and 2-3 meters high waves are expected in the Gulf of Thailand and the upper Andaman Sea. All ships were advised to proceed with caution during 16-18 September.
Tourists stranded on Koh Larn on Tuesday night are relieved to be back on solid ground again. (Photo by Urasin Khantaraphan)
On Wednesday Pattaya was still covered by the tropical storm with strong winds and 3 meter waves in the Gulf of Thailand..
Holding on to her little baby, the lady tourist is helped disembark from the rescue boat. (Photo by Urasin Khantaraphan)
The Marine Department of Pattaya installed red flags, indicating that the conditions were hazardous and that no boats or other marine vehicles should venture out to sea until further notice.
Eaksit Thanyakarn, head of Pattaya’s Disaster at Sea Prevention Department assigned marine staff to be on standby and keep a close watch along the coastal areas. So far, no disasters were reported but sea barriers have been torn off of their anchors and lay scattered along the beaches.
On Wednesday morning four boats ferried more than 450 tourists back safely to Pattaya. They had gone to Koh Larn on Tuesday but could not get back to the mainland because of the storm and heavy seas, and had to spend the night on the resort island.
