REGIONAL SUMMARY:
For the eleventh week of 2023, a total of 20 disasters (18 floods, 1 landslide, and 1 wind-related) affected the region. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand have reportedly been affected. Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) reported floods due to heavy rainfall, high tide, overflowing of rivers in Banten, West Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, South Sumatra, and North Sumatra, and Strong Wind in Bogor (West Sumatra), Indonesia. Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) Malaysia reported flooding in Sarawak State. The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also reported floods and landslides caused by the Low-Pressure Area in Davao Region (Region XI). The Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported storm and wind-related disaster events in Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhotai, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Phayao, and Nan
HIGHLIGHT:
According to BNPB, starting from 13 March, flooding events caused by heavy rainfall, high tide, and overflowing of rivers were reported in Kalimantan (West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan Provinces). As of 20 Mar, at 0700 HRS UTC+7, BNPB reported that the floodings have resulted in 16.2K families (39.2K persons) affected and 273 people displaced. Damages include 10.5K houses, 1 bridge, 2 roads, 19 educational facilities, 1 health facility, 23 worship places, 146 public facilities (including offices), and 10 ha of rice fields. The local disaster management authorities have carried out necessary actions to address the situation.
HYDRO-METEO-CLIMATOLOGICAL:
For the past week, data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) showed medium to high 7-day average rainfall spreading across Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua in Indonesia; Sarawak in Malaysia; and Mindanao in the Philippines. As of reporting, there are no active tropical cyclone advisories for the ASEAN region (JTWC).
GEOPHYSICAL:
Seven (7) significant earthquakes (M>5.0) were recorded in the region by Indonesia’s Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). Mount Semeru (alert level III), Anak Krakatau (alert level III), Merapi (alert level III), Karangetang (alert level III), Dukono (alert level II), and Ibu (alert level II) in Indonesia, and Mayon (alert level 1), Taal (alert level 1), and Kanlaon (alert level 1) in the Philippines reported recent volcanic activity according to the Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) and PHIVOLCS.
OUTLOOK:
According to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), for the coming week, drier conditions are expected over much of the northern ASEAN region, in particular over central and eastern Mainland Southeast Asia and northern Philippines. Warmer conditions are predicted over central and eastern Mainland Southeast Asia and northern Philippines. For the regional assessment of extremes, there are a moderate increase in chance in the parts of northeastern and central Mainland Southeast Asia and very likely in Southeastern Mainland Southeast Asia, parts of northern Papua, and northern Philippines for extreme hot conditions. La Niña conditions continue weakening. At the seasonal timescale, La Niña events tend to bring wetter conditions to much of the Maritime Continent during this time of the year.
Sources:
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS); ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC); Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC);
Indonesia: BNPB, BMKG, PVMBG;
Malaysia: NADMA;
Philippines: NDRRMC, PHIVOLCS;
Thailand: DDPM;
Various news agencies.