Thailand is about to be hit by Tropical Storm Pabuk. According to The Guardian, this is the first time a tropical storm has hit Thailand outside of monsoon season in 30 years.
A representative of the Climate Change and Disaster Center at Rangsit University was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying,
“Pabuk is likely to be the most devastating one to hit the region since 1962. It’s set to (affect) the southern tip of Thailand from Thursday and then careen all the way north.”
Rough seas in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Hua Sai district as storm #Pabuk is approaching the South. pic.twitter.com/6c7ZWwcmie
— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) January 3, 2019
Tropical storm #Pabuk is nearing #Thailand. It could become the most devastating #Cyclone to hit the region since 1962. pic.twitter.com/fNyqjFrRGF
— Frederic Spohr (@fspohr) January 2, 2019
Since news of the cyclone’s imminent arrival surfaces, thousands of tourists have since fled popular tourist spots, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Koh Samui, the areas expected to be hit by the storm. These tourists have fled to the southern Thai mainland.
Tropical Storm Pabuk is expected to bring heavy rain and waves as high as 7 metres. While the storm is expected to have winds of up to 104km per hour, it is unlikely that this cyclone will escalate into a typhoon.
According to the New Straits Times, winds have also been picking up in Terengganu as the storm draws closer.
#NSTVisuals: This photo taken by NSTP Photographer, Ghazali Kori shows a boy walking along Pelabuhan Perikanan Chendering in Terengganu. Tropical storm #Pabuk, which lashed the state's coastline with thunderous rain and nearly 50km per hour winds is not letting up. pic.twitter.com/5Jnlj2MQFe
— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) January 3, 2019
So, if you or anyone you know is in Thailand this week, stay safe and take proper shelter!
Also read: Going to Bangkok in May? You May Need to Brace for Thunderstorms & Flash Floods
