Phuket mayor blames mudslide on hill encroachment - Bangkok Post
A woman inspects the damage after mud and rocks loosened by heavy rains flowed down into the business district of Patong in Kathu district of Phuket early on Monday morning. (Supplied photo) PHUKET - The mayor of Patong municipality has blamed encroachment on nearby hills by property developers for causing the huge mudslides that struck the area on Monday.
Lalita Maneesri said on Wednesday that municipal authorities had spotted illegal encroachment and land alterations being made at Khao 50 Years hill and were taking legal action against wrongdoers.
She said alterations to the terrain had affected soil stability, and heavy downpours sent a torrent of mud and rocks into communities and business areas of the municipality in Kathu district early Monday morning.
Officials said hill encroachment and illegal alterations had reduced forested areas on the hill that had previously helped prevent mudslides as tree roots help to stabilise the soil.
The landslide began at 2am on Monday after continuous heavy rain that began on Sunday night and totalled 117 millimetres. The water loosened large amounts of mud, rocks and trees which struck hotels, shops, communities and roads in Patong at the foot of the hill.
Local authorities said the disaster affected at least 100 households and they had yet to estimate the total damage to communities, public utilities and business premises.
The hill has long been a popular tourist attraction on the island, where visitors enjoy the breezes and the panoramic view of Patong bay.
The area is home to numerous developments including hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, adventure tourism activities, religious facilities sites and check-in locations for social media users.
Disaster mitigation officials work at the mudslide site on Monday. (Photos supplied)
A birdβs-eye view of a mudslide-damaged area.
A backhoe and a bulldozer are deployed to remove flood debris on Monday evening.
Volunteers help to clean up Bangla Road on Tuesday.
Patong mayor Lalita Maneesri inspects the clean-up operation on Wednesday.
