WEEKLY DISASTER UPDATE 9 – 15 September 2024

REGIONAL SUMMARY:

For the thirty-seventh week of 2024, the ASEAN region experience 29 significant disasters, including floods, landslides, storms, strong winds, and drought. Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam were affected by these disasters. The Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) of Indonesia reported flooding in Central Kalimantan, Northern Sumatra, and DKI Jakarta, while droughts were reported in Yagyakarta, and East Java. In Lao PDR, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) Lao PDR reported floods, landslides, storms, and strong winds in Vientiane Capital, Phongsali, Wangantha, Oudomxay, Ban Gao, Luang Prabang, Xayabouri, and Xiangkhouang. The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) Myanmar also reported flooding, landslides, storms, and strong winds that affected Naypyitaw, Kayah, Kayin, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Mon, Shan, and Ayeyarwaddy. In the Philippines, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported the flooding, storms, landslides, and strong winds that affected CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Regions V, VI, VII, IX, X, XI, XII, and BARMM. In Thailand, the flooding and landslides reported from Week 33 persisted with reported impacts in 28 provinces (DDPM). Lastly, the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) reported flooding, landslides, storms, strong winds, and storm surge in the Northern Region which started from Week 36

HIGHLIGHT:

Tropical Cyclone YAGI, which brought catastrophic impacts in the Philippines from Week 35 and Viet Nam in Week 36, caused widespread flooding, landslides, storms, and strong winds that persisted until Week 37. In addition, Tropical Cyclone YAGI enhanced the prevailing Southwest Monsoon and Monsoon winds and caused moderate to intense rainfall across most of Mainland Southeast Asia. The combined effects of TC YAGI and the Southwest Monsoon resulted to 412 fatalities, 1.9K injuries, 38 missing persons, and approximately 2.07M people affected across Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. In terms of damages, about 235.48K houses, 164 road sections, 622 schools, 8 health facilities, 96 worship places, and about 219 other infrastructures and facilities were affected. (NDMO Lao PDR, DDM, DDPM, and VDDMA)

Authorities provided early warning information and preparedness measures to mitigate the impacts of Super Typhoon YAGI. Immediately after the impacts, authorities conducted damage and needs assessments and provided support and assistance to affected communities. The AHA Centre stands ready to support the affected countries and other member states that may be affected by the impacts of Typhoon YAGI and the Southwest Monsoon.

HYDRO-METEO-CLIMATOLOGICAL:

For the past week, data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) indicates a 7-day average rainfall ranging from medium to high across most of mainland Southeast Asia including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia (Northern Sumatra, Kalimantan, and eastern Papua), Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. High rainfall concentration was notable over the Philippines and Mainland Southeast Asia due to the effects of  Tropical Cyclone YAGI, TC BEBINCA, and the Southwest Monsoon. As of this reporting period, Tropical Cyclone GENER (local name by PAGASA, INVEST 98W by JTWC) and Tropical Cyclone PULASAN are being closely monitored in the region. TC GENER is currently within the Philippine Area of Responsibility with a westward forecast track toward Northern Viet Nam  (PAGASA, NCHMF, JTWC). Meanwhile, TC PULASAN is forecast to enter the PAR briefly and has a similar track to TC BEBINCA (PAGASA). Both these tropical disturbances are expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon. (PAGASA)