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Tropical Storm Kai-tak

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This article is about the 2017 tropical storm. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Kai-tak and List of storms named Urduja.
Tropical Storm Kai-tak (Urduja)
Tropical Storm Kai-tak making landfall in the Philippines on December 16
Meteorological history
FormedDecember 13, 2017
DissipatedDecember 23, 2017
Tropical storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds75 km/h (45 mph)
Lowest pressure994 hPa (mbar); 29.35 inHg
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds95 km/h (60 mph)
Lowest pressure985 hPa (mbar); 29.09 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities83 total
Damage$74.3 million (2017 USD)
Areas affectedCaroline Islands, Philippines, Malaysia
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 2017 Pacific typhoon season

Tropical Storm Kai-tak, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Urduja, was a late-season tropical cyclone that affected the Philippines during December 2017. Forming as the twenty-sixth named storm of the 2017 Pacific typhoon season, Kai-tak formed as a tropical depression near Palau on December 11. Slowly intensifying, the system became a tropical storm on December 14. Due to its slow motion, Kai-tak made landfall in Samar on December 16, and traversed the Philippine islands. Kai-tak later moved in a west-southwestward direction until it dissipated on December 23 near Malaysia.

The storm created a total of 83 fatalities and caused 74.3 million US dollars[a] in damage. Massive floods and landslides were created, leading to massive rescue operations and aid operations made by the local government. The effect of the storm led to the retirement of the name Kai-tak, and later Urduja.

Meteorological history

[edit]
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On December 10, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began to monitor a tropical depression located about 130 km (80 mi) to the east of Palau after reports of warm seas and favorable environment, but was offset by moderate vertical wind shear.[1] The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) classified the system as a weak tropical depression the next day,[2] and began issuing advisories on 00:00 UTC of December 12, also reporting the storm as stationary.[3] Nine hours later, the PAGASA declared that the system had intensified into a tropical depression and was immediately given the local name Urduja,[4] located 480 kilometres (300 mi) east-northwest of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.[5]

The system barely moved from the following days because of weak steering currents between a subtropical ridge over the western Pacific and another over the Bay of Bengal, plus another one to its south.[6] On December 13, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert.[7] On 21:00 UTC of that same day, the JTWC upgraded the system to a tropical depression and also began issuing advisories, giving the identifier 32W.[8] Despite the system being poorly organized with loose banding, the system also was located in an area of very low wind shear.[9] Three hours later, the JMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm, assigning it the international name Kai-tak.[10][11]

On December 14, the storm started expanding, with better convection and proper maintenance, even with strong wind shear.[12] At approximately 12:00 UTC, Kai-tak reached its peak intensity, with 75 kilometres per hour (45 mph) winds estimated by the JMA after reports of warm waters.[13] The following day, the storm started moving towards Samar Island, going back and forth over the following days in a circle-like manner, later moving towards Northern Samar. On December 15, Kai-tak later weakened.[14]

On December 16. the storm weakened even more, turning into a tropical depression, later making landfalls in the northern part of Samar on December 16, making landfall on all three provinces. The next day, landfalls were recorded in the northern part of the Visayas archipelago, with also making landfall on Masbate the same day, then later made landfall over the northern part of Palawan on December 18, leaving the Philippines. The storm then made landfall over the Spratly Islands.[14] After a decrease in wind shear, the thunderstorms increased, and Kai-tak became a tropical storm again on December 20.[15] However, stronger wind shear weakened it back to a depression on December 21. Despite weakening, the storm affected Malaysia and Brunei before dying out in the South China Sea on December 23.[14][16][17][18]

Preparations

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Philippines

[edit]

On December 12, cloudy skies and thunderstorms were predicted in the Mindanao region of the Philippines, with other closer regions having a possibility of flash floods and landslides.[4] On December 14, as soon as PAGASA upgraded Kai-tak (Urduja) to a tropical storm, Public Storm Warning Signal #2 was immediately raised in Eastern Samar, Samar and Biliran.[19] Public Storm Warning Signal #1 was also raised in the majority of Bicol Region (Region V) and much of Visayas while moderate to heavy rainfall were warned within a 400 kilometres (250 mi) diameter of the storm.[19][20] Residents were already advised to prepare against flooding as the moderate to heavy rainfall area was extended to within a 500 kilometres (310 mi) diameter. On December 15, PAGASA also announced the possibility of a storm surge of 4.1–14 metres (4.5–15.3 yd) over in Samar.[21] On December 19, All the Local Government Units in Mimaropa were placed on Red Alert. Suspension of classes in the Bicol Region were also declared in all six levels.[22]

Impact

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Philippines

[edit]

The NDRRMC noted at least 89,000 people fleeing to evacuation centers.[23] The NDRRMC confirmed a total of 83 people dead and calculated a total of Php3.747 billion (US74.3 million) worth of infrastructure and agricultural damages,[24][25] affecting 44,500 farmers.[26] In a case study, an estimated amount of 35,286 homes were damaged, with 2,748 of them being totally destroyed and 32,538 being partially damaged, and the study also showed that 1,800,000 individuals were affected by the storm.[27] There were also affected families in Mimaropa, the Western Visayas, and Caraga,[16] and 11,000 people were stranded in ports around the country.[28] Power lines in 39 settlements toppled and some bridges fell to the ground.[29] The storm also made landfall in the town of San Policarpo, Eastern Samar, prompting an immediate response by the Philippine Red Cross.[30] In a report by the DSWD, there were reported power outages in the provinces of Romblon and Marinduque.[22]

The city of Tacloban was later placed under a state of calamity as decided by their local council as 80 of the 130 villages were flooded. This resulted in at least 728 families (1,418 individuals) brought to evacuation centers or schools.[31] On December 14 at approximately 06:00 UTC,[b] the storm made landfall over the province of Eastern Samar. Heavy rainfall was also predicted from a 400 km (250 mi) standpoint.[19] Sea travel near the affected areas were later cancelled because of the storm.[21] The storm later flooded some parts of the Philippines and caused some landslides, with 23 people dying in the sole province of Biliran,[32] which included a landslide killing 27 people in the Naval barangay of Lucso-on.[33] Two people also died in Mimaropa, and 78 people were injured from the storm.[34] Three people also died in the province of Leyte, with a boy who drowned in the town of Mahaplag, a woman buried by a landslide, and another person who drowned in Ormoc. Vice-Governor of Eastern Samar Marcelo Picardal also stated that half the towns in Eastern Samar was flooded.[35] Damage for the provinces of Eastern Samar, Masbate, and other closely affected areas amounted over Php543,000 (US9.5 thousand) and agricultural damage near the affected areas totaled over Php400 million (US6.9 million).[36] The flood also contaminated Tacloban City's supply of tap water.[35] After, other southern provinces were affected, including Cagayan de Oro, Lanao del Sur and Norte, and some parts of the Zamboanga Peninsula.[37] On December 18, NASA said that the storm was about 23 miles per hour (37 km/h) and had a rainfall rate of 192.786 millimetres (7.5900 in) per hour.[38] The total amount of rainfall amounted to 1,067 millimetres (42.0 in) in Guiuan, 812 millimetres (32.0 in) in Borongan Airport, and 1,000 millimetres (39 in) outside of Eastern Visayas.[39]

Brunei

[edit]

On December 19 and 20, heavy floods struck Brunei, displacing 94 people. The next day, government assistance gave supplies to the affected individials.[40]

Animation of issued PSWS for Tropical Storm Kai-Tak (Urduja) when crossing the Philippines

Other regions

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On December 19, Kai-tak entered the South China sea, bringing additional rainfall in the eastern portion of Malaysia.[16][29]

A GIF showing the rainfall for Tropical Storm Kai-tak
Analysis of the rainfall of the tropical storm

Retirement and aftermath

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See also: List of retired Pacific typhoon names

Response

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The retrieval operations are still ongoing but we are not finding anyone alive. We only find dead bodies.

— Sofronio Dacillo[41]

After the storm, retrieval operations started, with over 40 people missing, mostly declared dead. In Biliran, bulldozers dug dirt in hopes of finding bodies.[41][42] Military trucks also drove in flooded areas, trying to rescue trapped residents.[35] After the storm hit, president Rodrigo Duterte paid a visit to the storm-affected areas.[23] Affected people were brought to shelters, where tap water was donated by local charities. Some local government units initiated their response and distributed shelter materials and aid. The local Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWD) offered 40 people to help aid projects and other needs.[27] Php184 million (US3 million) worth of aid was also given to affected residents, coming from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units, and other charities. The DSWD also gave 1,050 meal packs in the Bicol Region.[22] In Eastern Visayas, the charity ACTED distributed 10,000 kits to the municipalities of Salcedo, Eastern Samar and Mercedes, Eastern Samar.[43]

Retirement

[edit]

On December 21, 2017, the PAGASA announced that the name Urduja had been retired from their naming lists after causing more than Php1 billion (US17 million) worth of damage, also retiring within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).[36]

Due to the damage and high death toll in Visayas, the name Kai-tak was officially retired during the 50th annual session of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee in February 2018. In February 2019, the Typhoon Committee replaced it with the name Yun-yeung,[c] which was first used at the 2023 season.[44]

Aftermath

[edit]

A few days after the storm, another storm called Typhoon Tembin[d] hit the Philippines, leading to 266 deaths.[45]

See also

[edit]

Notes

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  1. ^ Based on 2017 US dollars.
  2. ^ 2pm in local time.
  3. ^ Replacement name originally made by China.
  4. ^ Known locally as Typhoon Vinta

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE WESTERN AND SOUTH PACIFIC OCEANS REISSUED". Archived from the original on 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
  2. ^ "WARNING AND SUMMARY 111800". Archived from the original on 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  3. ^ "RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory TD". Japan Meteorological Agency. December 12, 2017. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Julius N. Leonen (December 12, 2017). "LPA turns into Tropical Depression Urduja". Inquirer.
  5. ^ "Severe Weather Bulletin #1". Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  6. ^ "PROGNOSTIC REASONING FOR TROPICAL DEPRESSION 32W (THIRTYTWO) WARNING NR 01". webcitation.org. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  7. ^ "TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION ALERT". Archived from the original on 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  8. ^ "Tropical Depression 32W (Thirty-two) Warning Nr 001". December 13, 2017. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 32W (Thirty-two) Warning Nr 01". December 13, 2017. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory TS 1726 KAI-TAK (1726) UPGRADED FROM TD". Japan Meteorological Agency. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "Tropical Depression 32W (Kai-tak), # 16 FINAL". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  12. ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 32 Warning NR 02". JTWC. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 32 Warning NR 03". JTWC. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "2017 Severe Tropical Storm KAI-TAK (2017347N11131)". IBTRACS. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 32W (Kai-tak)". webcitation.org. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  16. ^ a b c "AHA Centre Flash Update #5: Tropical Storms Kai-Tak (32W) and Tembin (33W) Countries: PH, MY, BN, ID, VN, KH and TH - Philippines | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  17. ^ "Digital Typhoon: Typhoon 201726 (KAI-TAK) - Detailed Track Information". agora.ex.nii.ac.jp. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  18. ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 32W (Kai-tak) Warning NR 32". webcitation.org. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  19. ^ a b c Julius N. Leonen (December 14, 2017). "'Urduja' intensifies into tropical storm". Inquirer.
  20. ^ "NDRRMC Update Sitrep No. 26 re Preparedness Measures and Effects of Tropical Storm "Urduja" (Kai Tak) as of 8:00 PM, 31 January 2018 - Philippines | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  21. ^ a b "Tropical Storm Urduja maintains strength, 'almost stationary' off Eastern Samar". GMA News. December 15, 2017.
  22. ^ a b c "DSWD DROMIC Terminal Report on Tropical Depression "Urduja" (Kai-Tak) as of 06 April 2018, 6PM - Philippines | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2018-04-07. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  23. ^ a b "More Than 30 Dead After Tropical Depression Kai-Tak Brings Flooding Rain, Landslides to the Philippines". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  24. ^ "SitRep_No_28_re_Preparedness_Measures_and_Effects_of_Tropical_Storm-URDUJA_KAI-TAK" (PDF). NDRRMC. February 7, 2018.
  25. ^ "Companion Volume to Weather, Climate & Catastrophe Insight" (PDF). Aon Benfield. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  26. ^ Master, Web (2017-12-29). "'Urduja' destroys P1.44-B agri products in E. Visayas". Leyte Samar Daily News. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  27. ^ a b "PHILIPPINES 2018 / TROPICAL STORM KAI-TAK" (PDF). shelterprojects.org. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Tropical storm Kai-tak floods central Philippines". Reuters. 16 December 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Storm Kai-Tak approaches Vietnam's waters after wreaking havoc in the Philippines". VnExpress. 17 December 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Philippines: Tropical Storm Tembin (MDRPH026) Emergency Appeal Revision - Philippines | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2018-04-24. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  31. ^ "Tacloban under state of calamity due to 'Urduja'". SunStar Philippines. December 15, 2017.
  32. ^ BiliranIsland.com (2018-01-05). "Biliran in Urduja's aftermath". Biliran Blogs. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  33. ^ BiliranIsland.com (2017-12-29). "7 bodies 'buried' in Lucso-on landslide yet to be retrieved". Biliran Blogs. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  34. ^ "NDRRMC Update Sitrep No. 28 re Preparedness Measures and Effects of Tropical Storm "Urduja" (Kai-Tak) as of 8:00 AM, 07 February 2018 - Philippines | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2018-02-10. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  35. ^ a b c "Three dead as tropical storm Kai Tak pounds Philippines". The Straits Times. 2017-12-16. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  36. ^ a b "Urduja removed from PAGASA name list as damage exceeds P1 billion". GMA News. December 21, 2017.
  37. ^ "Philippines: TS Kai-tak (Urduja) and TS Tembin (Vinta) (as of 24 Dec 2017) - Philippines | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2017-12-24. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  38. ^ "Deadly Tropical Storm Kai-tak Examined With IMERG And GPM Satellite | NASA Global Precipitation Measurement Mission". gpm.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  39. ^ Pydynoski, Kristina (18 December 2017). "Urduja unloads over 1,000 mm of rain on Philippines; Life-threatening flood risk continues into Monday". Accuweather. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  40. ^ "Brunei Darussalam, Flash flood". AHA Center. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Hopes fade for dozens missing after Tropical Storm Kai Tak pummels Philippines". The Straits Times. 2017-12-19. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  42. ^ Master, Web (2017-12-29). "Death toll due to 'Urduja' now climbs to 46". Leyte Samar Daily News. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  43. ^ "Eastern Samar: 14,200 beneficiaries of emergency water, hygiene and sanitation assistance - Philippines | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  44. ^ "Replacement Names of TEMBIN, HATO and KAI-TAK in the Tropical Cyclone Name List" (PDF). ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. February 19, 2019.
  45. ^ "Philippines: Tropical Storm Tembin (MDRPH026) Emergency Appeal Final Report - Philippines | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2019-07-01. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
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