Strong winds expected to continue

PHUKET: A government weatherman has warned that the high winds caused in Phuket by typhoon Imbudo are likely to continue for a few more days as the storm system moves slowly west across the South China Sea in the direction of Hainan island, China. Tawat Tantham-Nu, Director of the Southwestern Regional Meteorological Center, predicted that heavy gusts of wind, similar to those that uprooted trees and caused power outages last night, could continue for about two more days. He warned that the storm system was still capable of causing heavy rain and flooding in Phuket, and warned operators of small boats not to put to sea because of heavy seas. Larger vessels should proceed with caution, he said. K. Tawat also advised anyone planning to travel to China, Taiwan or Hong Kong to check weather forecasts before departure.