Thailand storm Pabuk: Floods and winds damage Thailand as storm surges forecast – pictures

Thailand continues to struggle with the aftermath of storm Pabuk, the country’s first tropical storm in nearly 30 years, which made landfall yesterday. Torrential rain and flash floods destroyed homes, while winds of up to 47mph (75kmh) uprooted trees, and downed power networks across the country. Officials are still warning of further high waves and storm surges for a number of areas, including several popular with tourists. A fisherman died in southern Pattani province on Friday, after waves overturned his boat. Another crew member is still missing, while four other members have been safely recovered.

Thousands of tourists were left stranded after hundreds of flights were disrupted across Thailand.

Flights were cancelled for almost two days after storm Pabuk struck Nakhon Si Thammarat on Friday, arriving from the Gulf of Thailand.

Airports were also shut in the province and nearby Surat Thani and the holiday island of Koh Samui, with all flights cancelled.

Bangkok Airways resumed normal operations early on Saturday and added extra flights to assist stranded passengers.

Meanwhile, airports at Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani resumed operations at noon, while most ferry services to Thailand’s southern holiday islands have reopened.

The storm threatened Thailand’s southern provinces, with downpours and heavy wings battering the region.

Alarms blared across Koh Samui and Koh Phangan on Friday, alerting people to move for higher ground and away from the storm’s deadly surges.

The storm spared tourist hotspots further north in Thailand, including Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Kittipop Roddon, Koh Samui district chief told the Straits Times: “There were no casualties, there is some sunshine today and I’m confident some tourists will be able to leave today as ferries and flights resume.” 

Storm Pabuk made landfall with high winds of 40mph bringing waves of up to 5 metres battering the coast, leading authorities to advise grounding ships and boats.

At the time, the Thai Meteorological Department said in a statement: “The strong winds are forecast with waves up to 3 to 5 meters high in both the Gulf and in the Andaman Sea.”

The storm was downgraded into a tropical depression, as it moved off land on Saturday into the Andaman Sea.

More than 28,000 people were evacuated to shelters across according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

Thai Meteorological Department have warned torrential downpours can still hit southern provinces.

Officials said in a statement: “With the maximum sustained wind of 55km/hr, the storm was moving west-northwest at a speed of 10 km/hr with the outbreaks of torrential downpours much of southern provinces: Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarart, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket and Krabi.

“People should beware of the severe conditions that cause possible forest runoffs, flash floods and lowlands underwater.

“The strong winds are forecast with waves up to 3-5 meters high of both the Gulf and in the Andaman Sea. All ships keep ashore in the following day and people along the seashore beware of inshore surges.