FLASH UPDATE #2 – Effects of the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Tropical Cyclone SAOLA (Goring)
Country under monitoring: Philippines
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS:
- On 24 Aug, the LPA over the Philippine Sea East of Aparri, Cagayan, had developed into a Tropical Depression (TD) and intensified into Tropical Storm (TS). Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 1 was issued over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana).
- On 25 Aug, the TS continues to intensified while moving south southwestward. At 2200 HRS UTC+7, the TS intensified into a Typhoon. TCWS no. 2 was issued over the extreme northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan and the extreme northeastern portion of Isabela.
- On 27 Aug, the Typhoon becomes a Super Typhoon over the coastal waters of Palanan, Isabela. The Super Typhoon maintains its strength while moving south southwestward. TCWS no. 3 was issued over the eastern portion of Isabela.
- On 28 Aug, the Super Typhoon weakens into a Typhoon as it continues its counter-clockwise loop over the Philippine Sea.
- On 29 Aug, the Typhoon maintains its strength as it continues to approach the Luzon strait and moved north northwestward. TCWS no. 3 was issued over The southern portion of Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands. At 1600 HRS UTC+7, TCWS no. 4 was issued over the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands, and at 2200 HRS UTC+7 it was raised to TCWS no. 5 while Typhoon intensified info a Super Typhoon.
- On 30 Aug, the Super Typhoon continued to move northwestward. At 2200 HRS UTC+7, the Super Typhoon exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and all hoisted TCWS were lifted.
IMPACTS: According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of 0700 HRS UTC+7, 31 Aug:
Related Incidents: 353 flooded areas (127 subsided, 39 receding), 14 rain-induced landslides, 3 tornadoes/strong winds, and 10 other related incidents.
Affected population:
- 85.4K families (305.5K persons) have been affected from 1,152 Barangays in the following Regions: 1, 2, 3, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, 6, and CAR
- 68.7K persons displaced and 38K of which are reportedly inside 469 evacuation centres
- 1 person missing (for validation)
Damages:
- 247 damaged houses (162 partially, 85 totally) have been reported in Regions 1, 2, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, 6, and CAR
- 69 road sections and 29 bridge sections have been affected
- The cost of damage to infrastructure amounting to 726.7K USD
Critical Lifelines:
- A total of 44 cities/municipalities experienced power outages, 39 of which have had power restored;
- A total of 2 cities/municipalities experienced water supply interruption, none of which have had water supply restored
ANTICIPATED RISK:
- Tropical Cyclone HAIKUI and KIROGI was located in the NW Pacific Ocean and are forecasted to continue to move west-northwestward direction.
- According to PAGASA at 0400 HRS UTC+7, the Southwest Monsoon currently enhanced by SAOLA is also being slightly enhanced by HAIKUI and KIROGI. The enhanced southwest monsoon will bring occasional to monsoon rains over the western portion of Luzon and bring gusty over Ilocos Region, CAR, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas.
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:
- NDRRMC raised its alert status to RED on 25 August 2023 in response to the impacts of TC SAOLA
- Continuous monitoring and dissemination of early warning information and advisories through SMS, social media, and official channels down to the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMC).
- Around 194.2K USD worth of assistance were provided to Region 1, 2, 3, MIMAROPA, 6, CAR.
- A total of 41.3M USD worth of standby funds and prepositioned relief stockpile are available from DSWD and OCD.
- 2 rescued individuals by BFP personnel in a collapsed structure in CALABARZON.
- PAGASA continue to monitor weather situation and provision of weather updates to all stakeholders.
- Data collection on the impacts and damages are ongoing by relevant authorities.
The AHA Centre will continue to monitor for further developments and issue necessary updates.
DATA SOURCES:
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS);
Philippines: NDRRMC, PAGASA;
Verified news media agencies.
