YuSMP Travel Editorial Team
Phuket City Municipality cancelled its red flood alert for the Bang Yai canal area on 30 October 2026 — water levels had dropped 60–70cm after rain stopped the day before. The emergency alert went up at 7:40am on 29 October over a sudden rise in water and the risk of flooding to homes and shops. By the morning of 30 October the sun was out again, transport was back to normal, and tourists were walking through the Old Town and heading out on tours. For the broader seasonal picture, see our "Thailand Weather by Month", and for the wider TMD/DDPM warning from mid-October, see "Thailand Warns of Flash Floods and Landslides Until Oct 25".
What happened
The red alert went up at 7:40am on 29 October: according to Nation Thailand, Phuket City Municipality recorded a sharp rise in water in the Bang Yai canal amid sustained heavy rain and runoff from surrounding areas. Residents and business owners along the canal were asked to move belongings to higher ground — officials warned that further rain could cause waterlogging and send the canal overflowing into homes. The same day, flooding briefly closed Khok Tanot Road in Karon, while the road outside Wat Tai in Chalong and the Khok Tanot traffic-light junction were impassable for small vehicles. Thailand's Meteorological Department linked the weather to a low-pressure system over the Andaman Sea, with thundershowers covering up to 70% of the southern west coast and several more southern provinces.
What's happening now
Rain stopped around midday on 29 October, and according to state broadcaster Radio Thailand Phuket (cited by the Russian travel-industry outlet ATOR), water levels in the Bang Yai canal had dropped 60–70cm by 4:10pm that same day. On the morning of 30 October the municipality formally cancelled the red alert, transport in Phuket City returned to normal, and the island was sunny and calm again.
Timeline: from alert to cancellation
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 29 October, 7:40am | Phuket City Municipality declared a red alert for the Bang Yai canal |
| 29 October, midday | Rain stopped and water levels began to drop |
| 29 October, 4:10pm | Water dropped 60–70cm (Radio Thailand Phuket) |
| 30 October, morning | Red alert cancelled, transport running normally |
| Until 1 November | Warnings about rain and flash-flood risk remain in place |
Who's affected in Patong
The toughest conditions were in Patong — on the third and fourth rows back from the beach, where Russian travellers on long stays renting apartments tend to concentrate. In the hotel zone on the first and second rows, where short-stay tourists usually stay, conditions were already described as normal by the morning of 30 October. Olga Kurmakaeva, managing director of receiving company Exotic Voyage, told ATOR that tourists are relaxing on the beaches, playing golf and going on tours, and that her company hasn't recorded any cancelled tours or boat trips: "I sent my own son on a sea excursion today. Nothing was cancelled. Everything's running as usual." Receiving company Space Travel reported a similar picture and expects the situation to fully stabilise by early November.
What travellers should do
Official warnings about rain and the risk of flash flooding — mainly at the foot of hills and along water-runoff routes — remain in place until 1 November, so it's too early to relax completely. What's worth doing if you're already in Phuket or heading there soon:
- check road conditions with your hotel or transfer company before heading outside the main tourist zone;
- postpone excursions to hilly or inland areas on days when heavy rain is forecast;
- if your booking is in Patong, ask your management company whether your apartment is on one of the rows closer to the beach;
- check that your travel insurance covers weather-related delays;
- follow updates from local authorities and Radio Thailand Phuket rather than judging by social-media headlines — as Olga Kurmakaeva notes, tourists on the island are themselves surprised by "flooding" headlines coming out of Russia.
Check carrier status on our Airlines page, and if you're considering a different resort for these dates, our match tool can help compare options by weather and budget. For a broader overview of the island, see our Thailand guide.
Frequently asked questions
Should I cancel my Phuket trip because of this news?
No — the red alert has already been lifted, transport is running normally, and resorts are open. Base your decision on updates from local authorities closer to your travel dates, not on headlines.
Which parts of Phuket were affected most?
The area along the Bang Yai canal and nearby roads in Karon and Chalong, plus the third and fourth rows back from the beach in Patong, where long-stay apartments are concentrated.
Are excursions and boat trips being cancelled right now?
According to receiving companies Exotic Voyage and Space Travel, no — excursions and boat trips are running on schedule.
Until when do the risks remain?
Local authorities have extended warnings about rain and possible flash flooding until 1 November 2026, mainly at the foot of hills and along water-runoff routes.
Where can I check the latest weather updates for Phuket?
Official updates come from state broadcaster Radio Thailand Phuket and the city municipality; our journal also carries seasonal Thailand weather round-ups.
Sources
- ATOR (Russian Association of Tour Operators) — 30 October 2026, citing state broadcaster Radio Thailand Phuket
- Nation Thailand — 29 October 2026
Weather conditions change fast — check the latest updates with your hotel, tour operator or on atorus.ru before travelling.
