Pabuk packed winds of 45 mph as it battered Thailand’s southern regions, causing widespread flooding and storm surges. One fisherman died in the Pattani province and a crew member remains missing. About 200,000 people were left without power as electricity lines were downed by winds and fallen trees.
Tens of thousands of tourists fled the popular islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, but those who remained were stranded as boat services to the mainland were cancelled and airports closed.
Some 30,000 people remain in evacuation shelters, waiting for floods to recede and power to be restored.
Pabuk made landfall on Friday afternoon in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, south of the tourist hubs on the Gulf of Thailand, hammering the coastal province with rain.
However, the worst of the storm seemed to skirt the islands, and authorities have reported no casualties.
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But the threat hasn’t completed passed, and authorities continue to issue warnings.
According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), as of 11am local time (4am GMT) on January 5, Pabuk was 10 miles west of Takua Pa, Phangnga and moving west-northwest at 6mph
The storm is still packing heavy winds up to 34 mph.
Outbreaks of torrential downpours are still possible for southern provinces, including Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket and Krabi.
TMD warned: “People should beware of the severe conditions that cause possible forest runoffs, flash floods and lowlands underwater.”
Strong winds are forecast with waves up to 3-5 meters high of both the Gulf of Thailand and in the Andaman Sea.
As the storm heads out to the Andaman Sea, it is expected to make landfall again on India’s Andaman Islands, promising the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a fresh cyclone warning.
The IMD expects Pabuk to hit the Andamans at some point on Sunday, January 6, with winds gusting up to 55 mph.
After that, Pabuk is expected to move north-northwestwards.
The storm will then recurve northeastwards towards Myanmar coast and weaken gradually over January 7 and 8.
Those on the islands are urged to find shelter and remain in a safe place until the storm has passed.
There is potential for heavy rainfall, gale-force winds, high seas and storm surge still to come.