REGIONAL SUMMARY:
For the nineteenth week of 2023, a total of 19 disasters (floods, landslides, and wind-related) affected regions in Indonesia and Thailand. Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) reported floods, storms, and strong wind caused by moderate to heavy rainfall, and landslides due to unstable soil conditions in Aceh, Sumatra, Java, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, and Papua. Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported that severe local storms and strong winds have affected 24 of its provinces.
HIGHLIGHT:
Tropical Cyclone MOCHA made its landfall in Myanmar on 14 May 2023. The AHA Centre is currently on the EOC Alert Level RED (active response) to support an ongoing response operation by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) Myanmar. Detail of the ongoing response operation for TC MOCHA in Myanmar, are available in the AHA Centre Situation Update.
Meanwhile, according to BNPB, starting from 8 May, flooding events caused by moderate to high-intensity rainfall were reported throughout Bandung Regency (West Java), which included Dayeuhkolot, Baleendah, and Bojongsoang Districts. On 9 May, BNPB reported that the flooding in Bandung Regency has resulted in 3.4K families (9K persons) and 3.4K houses affected. According to DDPM, severe storms and wind-related events in 24 districts (Northern, Northeastern, Eastern, and Central Region) have resulted in 6.6K families (332K persons) and 6.6K houses affected. Local disaster management agencies have carried out necessary actions, continue to monitor, and assess 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 and Papua in Indonesia, and the North Central Coast of Viet Nam. As of reporting, there is a tropical cyclone, being referred to as Tropical Cyclone FABIEN. Based on available data, TC FABIEN is forecasted to move generally westward / moving away from the ASEAN Region. (JTWC).
GEOPHYSICAL:
Eight (8) significant earthquakes (M>5.0) were recorded by Indonesia’s Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Mount Anak Krakatau (alert level III), Mount Semeru (alert level III), Mount Ili Lewotolok (alert level II), Mount Ibu (alert level II), and Mount Dukono (alert level II) 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. Mt. Anak Krakatau was observed to have erupted on May 12 2023 at 23:20 WIB with the height of the ash column being observed ± 1,500 m above the peak (± 1,657 m above sea level).
OUTLOOK:
According to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), for the coming week drier conditions are predicted over most of the central Maritime Continent. Drier conditions are also predicted over much of Mainland Southeast Asia. Warmer than usual conditions are expected over much of Mainland Southeast Asia and parts of the western Maritime Continent.
Sources:
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS); ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC); Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC);
Indonesia: BNPB, BMKG, PVMBG;
Thailand: DDPM;
Various news agencies.
