Flooding on Koh Samui
Today there was some serious Flooding on Koh Samui today despite the new drainage system. After an afternoon, night and day of torential rain, the sewer and drainage system just can't deal with the amounts of water anymore.
The pictures show un unusual situation for Koh Samui and as soon as the rain stops. the water will most likely be able to drain away within a few hours, however, currently there's no sign of the rain stopping soon.
Picture and all rights by Maii Sonnekus
Flooding on Koh Samui; In front of Big C on the ringroad near Chaweng is always a hot spot for floods but this time around it seems worse compared to other years
Part of the problem is the pollution around the island, a lot of garbage seems to be blocking sewer systems and drain holes. Sadly this is a common problem all year round but specifically plays up in a situation like this.
Some raods have been closed off and this afternoon it was not possible to reach Nathon if you were coming from Maenam. The new drainage system being constructed on the hill between Bang Po and Nathon was generating too much waste water with no place to go!
Flooding on Koh Samui; The situation in Bang Rak earlier today. All bikes are swept off their feet so to say
The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a warning announcement for all of the South, including Surat Thani province, of which Koh Samui is a part of.
All small boat traffic like dive and snorkel boats have ceased to operate until after the weekend although the big ferries between Koh Samui and Donsak are still operating. Some flights were delayed at Samui airport.
Flooding on Koh Samui; In front of the Imperial Boathouse in Choengmon this morning
Koh Samui and te South is making the national news with a big article in the Bangkok Post and very sadly a 6 year old child drowned on mainland Surat Thani in Kanchanadit.
Picture and all rights by IamAir Orapin
Flooding on Koh Samui; Maenam beach, high waves and a strong wind
The rain was predicted, however that it would end up like this is what probably not many people would have expected! Batten the hatches and stay safe folks. Hopefully the electricity will keep hanging in there and there will be no power cuts. So far so good!
Picture and all rights by Rob Batchen
Flooding on Koh Samui; Koh Samui as seen from the ferry between Donsak and Koh Phangan this morning, covered under clouds and rain showers
More updates tomorrow but right now the forecast for tomorrow shows that the torrential rain is going to continue all night and all day tomorrow, Sunday, and no easing up until Monday afternoon at the earliest.
Stay safe!
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Camille
36 comments:
Wow really pouring down! Going to koh tao on the 12th december for a week, and onward to Koh Samui for another week after that. I hope the raining ease up a little until then... :) I'll follow your blog every day, before and during our trip to thailand! Keep up the great work.
Hi Daniel,
Let's hope by then the weather has calmed down again! Enjoy your trip!
HI Camille,
Wanted to check how dire is the flooding? Any news of it letting up? Especially by Tuesday 12/6?
We are arriving at Koh Samui on Monday night (12/5 from NYC), and was hoping for a little fun, sun and relaxation. Now reading all this flooding news has made us very nervous. Do you think we should postpone? We are not there to see how bad things are.
Thanks.
John
Enjoy your blog :)
We are trying to get a boat to koh tao in the morning. It's been so bad. We have been told our boat will still be leaving fingers crossed. Your post is so depressing ��
thanks for the info, planning to go there next weekend. maybe need to reconcider?
Going to koh Samui by ferry on Monday morning the 8th. Do you think the flooding is gone by then, so we are able te come at our hotel?
Hi John,
Today was better already, a dry night last night and a dry morning, now it's raining again but the roads don't seem to be as flooded as they were yesterday.
It's too early to give a prediction on how the weather may be from the 12th December onward, but I would expect at least some rain. Difficult to say how much exactly at this stage.
Boats to Koh Tao should still be running. Before the bigger ferries will be cancelled there needs to be much bigger waves.
Regarding reconsidering with arrival during next weekend, see my previous answer;
Today was better already, a dry night last night and a dry morning, now it's raining again but the roads don't seem to be as flooded as they were yesterday.
It's too early to give a prediction on how the weather may be from the 12th December onward, but I would expect at least some rain. Difficult to say how much exactly at this stage.
Unknown,
By the 8th December I do expect most of the flooding to be gone, probably it's looking better right now already after a night and morning without rain.
Raining again heavily now since about 5pm. Lamai not coping well... Not sure about the night market as I'm not leaving the hotel tonight. Road by Green Cafe (in front of Spa Garden) not managing too well with the water.. I went through Chaweng today and took the "Lamai Shortcuts" road over the hills. A few minor landslides and road covered in sand in places so be careful and drive safely if you are going to go that way.
I arrive on Samui, hopefully all good with flights arriving ok from BKK
Thanks for the update!
Hi Tom,
The flights keep coming an the airport on Koh Samui is open for business. There may be a delay but at the time being, they deal with it at their best capacity.
Arrived koh samui this evening on the most turbulent flight ever !! Roads still heavily flooded so much for my winter break for sun sea and sand was looking forward to the picturesque photos I have seen online of this beautiful island !! I doubt the chaweng beach parties will be on in the storm and how about the big Buddha temple ?? And also I was looking forward to the archipelago islands tour Ang Thong national park if the weather persists to be a pain any recommendations as to what to do with my time ?? And also is the nightlife still currently active On soi green mango although transport seems to be an issue as I was going to hire a scooter to get around the island but that seems out of the qeustion now looking forward to hearing from you Camille Lemmens
Kind regards
Mithun
The weather was fine during my recent stay at Koh Samui and Koh Phangan 26th-30th November 2016. I was shocked to hear about the terrible flood. May God bless Koh Samui.
Hi Mithun,
Sorry that your trip to Koh Samui has been spoiled. The island has today been declared a disaster zone. You're as much in it as everybody else on the island, so my advice is to make the best out of it and stay save.
This is not the right moment in time to start exploring the island I'm afraid.
Everybody is staying inside, as much as they can, considering the circumstances, that's the best you can do!
Thanks for the advice olease keep me posted as I do wish to see a few landmarks at least but if it is dangerous best to stay indoors I suppose !!
Hi Camille,
We are due to fly from Japan to Koh Samui this evening. I am a bit worried about the flight now based on Mithun's comment and your reply. Our hotel reservations and flight is non cancellable so we can't get our money back. Do you strongly suggest us not to go or is the weather getting better?
Hi Camille,
We are due to fly out tonight and land Wednesday morning in Koh Samui. Our flight and hotel is non refundable. I am a bit worried about flying and safety now after reading Mithun comment and your reply. Does the weather seem to be easing up or getting worse?
Many thanks!
Hi Mithun,
As of today the weather situation should improve. At some areas the floods seem to have receded at other parts they stayed at the same level, not worse but also not better.
The tour trips for around the island still go out each day and Big Buddha is open, although with few visitors.
Check the situation on a daily base and check with your hotel staff.
I do expect improvement on the weather and the general situation on Koh Samui, as a consequence.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Hi Judy,
Please read my second comment to Mithun.
In general the weather should start improving as of today and as a consequence the overall flood situation around the island should also improve.
It's still rainy season, so do expect some rain but not in the same torrential amounts as on December 2nd and 3rd that caused all the flooding.
Safety wise, I don't think there's too much to worry about as long as you follow logic sense and be careful.
Hope this helps and that you will enjoy your stay on Koh Samui, despite the current circumstances.
Thank you Camille. Your blog is so helpful! I will keep following and hope to read that there is better weather throughout the week.
Thank you so much Camille. I am expecting to fly to Thailand on the 16th and be in Krabi from 17-21 and then Koh Samui from the 21-31. I am spending a ton of money to go to the Kamalaya Spa for a week and then Centara grand hotel and am really nervous about this. I know the weather and flooding can be quite different in two weeks than it is now. Are there any predictions about weather then, and flooding? Please help :) All is non refundable but I can try to get my money back if I am still going to be flying into a disaster area in two weeks.
Hi Nicole,
In two weeks the flooding should be pretty much have disappeared. The weather should start to improve as of today. Once the rain stops, floods recede very quickly, but everything is filled to the max (the drainage system), so once it starts to rain again, floods pop up again as quickly as they disappear.
In two weeks time, Samui should not be a disaster area anymore, I mean, ferries and flights continue on schedule, shops are stocked.
Don't expect sunshine and blue sky in two weeks, there will be most likely (some) rain, but not as torrential as is is now.
I sympathise with you travellers, but also the local businesses. Hopefully all those who have non refundable bookings for flights and hotels have travel insurance which should cover your losses on cancellation.
Just arrived back in Bangkok from Samui after been trapped in our hotel room at Chaweng beach for 3 days 100% reconsider going here in the next 10 days...
That's very unfortunate but these were also the worst 3 days during this flood. According to the forecasts, it should be dry as of tomorrow.
Hi Camille
Thank you for such helpful information. We cannot seem to find any info about Koh Tao. Donyou you know is it bad there? We are die to arrive there on Dec10th and have emailed our hotel but have not had reply yet.
Thanks again, Annmarie
Hi Annmarie,
On Koh Tao they had their share of problems but it's a lot smaller island compared to Koh Samui with a lot less infrastructure like roads ad cars that use these roads.
Relatively speaking they had less problems compared to Koh Phangan or Koh Samui.
In general I haven't heard any feedback from anybody on Koh Tao about the situation, which, given the circumstances, I take as a good sign, since if there were problems, they would have been mentioned.
Hi Camille! I am debating catching a ferry tomorrow morning (12/12) from Koh Lanta to Samui. Is the area dry now?
First fo all, there are no direct ferries between Koh Lanta and Koh Samui, you will have to travel overland and catch a car ferry in Donsak or a passenger ferry in Surat Thani town.
Please check my blog, the situation is back to normal, all torrential rain and most of teh floods have gone. It always was safe on Koh Samui, even during the floods and there is no reason why you shouldn't visit.
Do expect some rain though at times, it's still monsoon time, but no hard rain like before.
Hi Camile! We are going to Koh Samui and Koh Tao on January 18. I need to know if those islands are still having problems with floods, please!
Thank you very much for your help.
Hi Augusto,
Keep following my blog here for daily updates and check my Samui info and weather blog Facebook page with more updates throughout the day.
Keep reading and the answer should be there.
Hi, Camille!
We are travelling to Koh Samui on 25 January, Lamai beach.
I'd like to know if the situation there is better?
Whether it will be possible to swim there and what about the chairs at the beach?
Thank you very much for keeping us update.
Kind Regards,
Jovana
Hi Jovana,
Sorry, but I can't predict weather two weeks in advance, if I could I would probably be very wealthy.
Chaweng beach looked ok enough on pictures during the first day of sunshine. Haven't seen anything on Lamai.
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