Thailand – Tropical Storm Pabuk Hits Southern Provinces

by in Asia, News

Tropical Storm Pabuk made landfall in the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, on 04 January, 2019.

Damage from Storm Pabuk, Thailand, January 2019. Photo: Photo: IFRC Thailand

On 06 January, Thailand’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPMD) reported that over 200,000 people have been affected by the storm, 3 people have died in the storm and one other is still missing.

Nakhon Si Thammarat was the hit hardest province, with almost 180,000 residents in 23 districts affected by the storm. Other affected provinces include Pattani, Surat Thani, Songkhla, Chumphon, Yala, Phatthalung and Narathiwat.

Almost 35,000 people evacuated their homes in Nakhon Si Thammarat and around 10,000 in Pattani, Surat Thani and Songkhla.

Winds, storm surge and flooding caused damage to an estimated 2,000 homes, as well as roads and infrastructure, including power supply. At one point around 200,000 were left without electricity.

Thai Met reported 270.5 mm of rain in 24 hours to 04 January in Nakhonsi Thammarat. According to DPMD, as of 06 January, flooding persisted in several districts of the province, including Phipun, Chang Klang, Chawang and Cha-uat. Around 1,000 people remain displaced, as yet unable to return to their homes.

Nakhon Si Thammarat was severely affected by flooding during mid-December last year.

Tourist Areas Return to Normal

In a statement of 06 January, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said the situation in affected areas has returned to normal.

“In terms of tourism, the popular beach resort destinations in the Gulf of Thailand and along the Andaman Sea, including Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Chumphon and Surat Thani as well as Ko Samui and Ko Phangan, to name a few, remain largely unaffected by the recent severe weather conditions. As the weather now clears up and all transportation has resumed normal operations.”

Andaman Islands, India

On 05 January, Pabuk was downgraded to a tropical depression as it moved into the Andaman Sea heading for the Andaman Islands, India.

Indian Meteorological Department has issued warnings for heavy rainfall, rough seas and advises the residents to remain indoors.

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