REGIONAL SUMMARY:
For the thirteenth week of 2023, a total of 19 disasters (floods, storms, and wind-related) affected the region. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand have reportedly been affected. Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) reported floods, storms, and tornado caused by moderate to heavy rainfall, strong wind, overflowing of rivers in West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, North Maluku, West Nusa Tenggara, and South Sumatra. Agensi Pengurusan Bencana (NADMA) Malaysia reported flooding in Nabawan in Sabah State. The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also reported floods in Maguidanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, and Basilan of BARMM. Lastly, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported that windstorms affected several provinces in Thailand.
HIGHLIGHT:
According to BNPB, starting from 27 March, flooding events caused by moderate to heavy rainfall and overflowing of rivers were reported in Kalimantan (Central and South Kalimantan). As of 3 April, at 0700 HRS UTC+7, BNPB reported that the floodings have resulted in 19K families (46K persons) affected and 40 persons injured. Damages include 13K houses, 67 roads, 41 educational facilities, 13 health facilities, 64 worship places, and 36 public facilities (including offices). The local disaster management authorities have carried out necessary actions to address the situation. Meanwhile, according to NDRRMC, continuous rains brought about by the Easterlies in Mindanao of the Philippines caused flooding incidents and affected 3.5K families in 49 barangays in Lanao del Sur and Basilan on 2 April.
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 Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua in Indonesia; Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia; and Mindanao of the Philippines. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), currently, there are no active tropical cyclone advisories for the ASEAN region.
GEOPHYSICAL:
Six (6) significant earthquakes (M>5.0) were recorded by Indonesia’s Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). Mount Semeru (alert level III), Ili Lewotolok (alert level II), and Anak Krakatau (alert level III) in Indonesia, and Taal (alert level 1), Mayon Volcano (alert level 1), and Kanlaon (alert level 1) in the Philippines reported recent volcanic activity according to 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 Mainland Southeast Asia, in particular over central parts of Mainland Southeast Asia. Warmer than usual temperatures are expected over much of Mainland Southeast Asia, in line with the predicted drier conditions. For the regional assessment of extremes, there is a low chance for a very heavy rainfall event to occur; and small increase in chance for extreme hot conditions in the parts of central Mainland Southeast Asia. La Niña conditions have now ended.
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, PAGASA;
Thailand: DDPM;
Various news agencies.
