Ranong residents prepare to flee after quake rocks province

The Mineral Resources Department warned residents of possible aftershocks.
Not only the quake, but also forest runoff hit many parts of the province.
The Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office said an earthquakemonitoring centre in Phuket reported the epicentre as located in tambon Ngao, 20 kilometres from downtown Muang district.
People throughout the district reportedly felt the heaving at about 12.40pm. Many of them packed up their belongings to flee to higher ground.
Kham Sawasdee, 72, a resident of tambon Bang Non, said she and her niece were watching TV at home when the building started shaking and they bolted out of the house in fright. Many neighbours were also seen dashing outside as they feared the trembling might cause their residences to collapse.
Lertsin Raksaskulwong, director of the Environmental Geology and Geohazards Bureau, said the seismic activity was produced by the Ranong fault and the department had dispatched a team of geologists to inspect the disaster scene.
However, initial reports found no damage to buildings.
Heavy rain pummelled Muang and Laun districts, triggering forest runoff that swept across many roads and communities in Muang district.
Mudslides blocked two sections of RanongLang Suan Road.
About 100 soldiers were deployed to provide assistance to flood victims in the district and clear the road covered by the landslides.
Samnieng Maneerat, acting chief of the office, warned tourists of possible landslides at seven waterfalls in the province after the ground was soaked from the torrential downpours.
The Ngao, Punyabarn, Tonphet, Bokkrai, Choomsaeng, Suwansiri and Rakloi waterfalls were put on alert for possible runoff and landslides.
Nit Ouitekkheng, president of the Ranong tourism council, called on state agencies to act to help people in the province deal with the tremors.
“Ranong is prone to earthquakes. Private agencies here have suggested that state agencies come up with a plan to handle them but none of them has paid any attention. They should rush to develop the plan,” he said.