A Russian tourist went missing while swimming in the sea off Karon Beach during heavy rain and strong winds Sunday morning .
Local residents on Sunday morning reported to the authorities that an apparent foreign tourist drowned near the south end of Karon Beach.
Rescue workers were searching for the missing man until early evening, but have found no trace. The search was conducted with difficulty due to high waves and strong winds.
The Andaman coast has experienced heavy and strong winds for the past five days.
The meteorological department forecast torrential rain and isolated heavy rainfall in the South, particularly in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces, as a low pressure cell and a moderated southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea.
Meanwhile, resort operators and local residents in Khao Lak in Takua Pa district are clearing away mud, which flowed in from forest torrents, while electrical power and tap-water water distribution was restored Saturday night after heavy rain in Friday and Saturday.
Flooding remains in Takua Pa and Thai Muang district farmlands, but continues to recede as of Sunday night.
The Khao Lak area, which was hard-hit by the tsunami in 2004, is prone to flash floods and mudslides, and flooding there was caused by heavy rains made worse by a trash- and mud-clogged sewerage system.
Although the flooding was not prolonged, it has caused substantial damage to property.
Source: TNA
