Thailand: Tropical Storm Pabuk to hit southern provinces January 3-5 /update 1

Event

Tropical Storm Pabuk is forecast to Thailand's southern provinces from Thursday, January 3, to Saturday, January 5, bringing heavy rain and high winds to the region. As of 16:00 (local time) on Thursday, the storm was located some 500 km (310 mi) southeast of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph).

According to the Thai Meteorological Department, Pabuk will make landfall in Nakhon Si Thammarat province on the evening of Friday, January 4, and will affect the southern provinces of the country until Saturday, January 5, bringing rainfall, strong winds, and torrential downpours. Bangkok Airways has suspended flights to and from Koh Samui. Ferry services between Koh Samui and Phangan and the mainland are to be suspended between Thursday, January 3, and Saturday, January 5. All boats will be kept in port on January 4-5. Regularly scheduled ferry services to Koh Samui and Don Sak are expected to resume on Sunday, January 6.

Consequent flooding, transportation disruptions (including flight delays and cancelations), and power outages are possible in affected areas over the coming days.

Context

Tropical Storm Pabuk, also known as Usman, passed through the Philippines last week, leaving at least 85 people dead.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, and associated disruptions (e.g. road closures, port and airport closures). Remember that walking or driving through moving water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater can contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.