People across Thailand are praying for the southern region as Tropical Storm Pabuk, which originated in the South China Sea, inches closer to the coastline.
The Thai Meteorological Department, which has been keeping a close eye on the storm, has issued a series of warnings since the storm formed in the lower part of the South China Sea. The rapid response to the storm shows that local authorities are well aware of its position and possible impact. For this, they deserve credit.
The government has set up a "war room" to oversee mitigation operations, and authorities have been instructed to synchronise their operations to minimise the impact of the storm and prevent casualties -- which is the government's top priority.
Pabuk has drawn widespread attention because it is the first tropical storm expected to hit Thailand outside of the monsoon season in 30 years. The storm was expected to hit three tourist hot spots -- namely Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Koh Samui -- tomorrow night, before continuing on its path towards Chumphon, Surat Thani, and three of Thailand's southernmost provinces.
According to the weather warning, the storm is currently moving at 65-80 kilometres per hour, and is likely to cause high waves of around 3-5 metres in the Gulf of Thailand, and 2-3m in the Andaman Sea. While the department has ruled out the possibility of Pabuk developing into a typhoon -- the last time Thailand was hit by a typhoon was Typhoon Gay which devastated Chumphon in 1989 -- it said the severe weather conditions were expected to affect millions of southern residents.
Advanced communication technology has significantly improved Thailand's disaster preparedness. Evacuations have been completed in high-risk areas -- including six districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat -- while temporary shelters are being set up in safe areas. Rescue and health workers are on standby, and a number of schools were closed as a precaution.
Warnings of possible flash floods and mudslides after heavy downpours have been issued, and fishermen have been told not to go out to sea.
A storm like Pabuk -- which was named after a freshwater catfish found in the Mekong -- rarely hits Thailand because of its geographical location, which is favourable compared to the Philippines' and Vietnam's. Before Typhoon Gay, the last severe tropical storm was Harriet, which battered the southern part of the country in 1962, hitting Talum Pook in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Pak Phanang district the hardest.
The most challenging part for the authorities is striking the right balance between keeping the public informed and preparing for a possible disaster, while not stirring up panic at the same time. As such, residents should follow the authorities' instructions and advice.
As this edition went to print, one storm-related death was reported by the media. On Wednesday, a Russian national died in Koh Samui after his family ignored a red-flag warning and went to play in the water. The 56-year old man drowned as he tried to rescue his children who were being pulled by a strong current. Rescuers who retrieved the body said he hit his head on a rock and was carried off by the waves.
Foreign tourists reportedly left several resort towns ahead of the storm yesterday, as flights to Koh Samui and several other affected areas were cancelled.
Arguably, the tropical storm will deal more blows to the economy in the South and add to the plight of southerners, already suffering from the effects of heavy downpours and floods before the New Year.
The government needs to think about an integrated plan that will enable storm-hit areas to recover quickly. Meanwhile, local authorities must ensure help reaches its targets, especially those in remote areas, without delay.
