Typhoon Saola (2012)

Typhoon Saola, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Gener and in Taiwan as Typhoon Sura,[1][2] was a strong tropical cyclone affecting the Philippines, Taiwan and China. It was the ninth named storm and the fourth typhoon of the 2012 Pacific typhoon season. Saola is the name of a rare mammal found in Vietnam.

This article is about the 2012 typhoon. For other storms of the same name, see Typhoon Saola.
Typhoon Saola (Gener)
Typhoon (JMA scale)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Typhoon Saola at peak intensity on August 1 with Typhoon Damrey to the north
FormedJuly 26, 2012
DissipatedAugust 5, 2012
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 130 km/h (80 mph)
1-minute sustained: 165 km/h (105 mph)
Lowest pressure960 hPa (mbar); 28.35 inHg
Fatalities85 total
Damage$2.73 billion (2012 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands, China
Part of the 2012 Pacific typhoon season

Meteorological history
Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

On July 26, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that a tropical depression had developed within an area of strong vertical windshear in the monsoon trough about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) to the southeast of Manila in the Philippines.[3][4] During that day the shear relaxed before during the next day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system.[5]

Severe Tropical Storm Saola over Taiwan

Early on July 28, the JTWC upgraded the system to a tropical depression, whilst the JMA upgraded it to a tropical storm and named it Saola.[6][7] Soon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) upgraded the system to a tropical depression and named it Gener.[8] Later that day, the JTWC upgraded Saola to a tropical storm.[9] Early on July 29, the JMA upgraded Saola to a severe tropical storm.[10] On July 30, the JTWC upgraded Saola to a category 1 typhoon, as it started to develop an eye-like feature, but soon downgraded it to a tropical storm late on the same day.[11][12] On July 31, the JTWC upgraded Saola to a category 1 typhoon again.[13] Late on the same day, the JMA upgraded Saola to a typhoon, and the JTWC soon upgraded it to a category 2 typhoon early on the next day.[14][15] The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) reported that Typhoon Saola made landfall over Xiulin, Hualien in Taiwan at 19:20 UTC on August 1 (03:20 TST on August 2).[16] However, Saola later moved counterclockwise and arrived the ocean soon, whilst the JMA downgraded it to a severe tropical storm early on August 2 due to strong land interaction.[17] At 06Z on the same day, Saola passed over Cape San Diego, the easternmost point of Taiwan.[18] Late on August 2, the JMA downgraded Saola to a tropical storm, before it made landfall over Fuding in Fujian, China at 22:50 UTC (06:50 CST on August 3).[19] On August 3, the JMA downgraded Saola to a tropical depression, after the JTWC issued a final warning on the system. The system continued to weaken into a weak low pressure area over Jiangxi, China on August 4. The weak, remnant low later drifted south west to the Gulf of Tokin, and regenerated slightly on August 7.[20]

Preparations and impact

Philippines
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Taiwan
Highest-known totals
Precipitation Storm Location Ref.
Rank mm in
13,060 120.47Morakot 2009Alishan, Chiayi[21]
22,319 91.30Nari 2001Wulai, New Taipei[22]
32,162 85.12Flossie 1969Beitou, Taipei[21]
41,987 78.23Herb 1996Alishan, Chiayi[23]
51,774 69.84Saola 2012Yilan City[24]
61,700 66.93Lynn 1987Taipei[25]
71,672 65.83Clara 1967Dongshan, Yilan[26]
81,611 63.43Sinlaku 2008Heping, Taichung[27]
91,561 61.46Haitang 2005Sandimen, Pingtung[28]
101,546 60.87Aere 2004Miaoli County[29]

Saola caused widespread rains in the Philippines due to the enhancement of the southwest monsoon. On July 29, domestic and international flights throughout the country were delayed and cancelled. Small fishing crafts were advised to not engage in the water as a gale warning was issued by PAGASA. The NDRRMC alerted their agency as the storm is expected to bring heavy rains. Seaports were also advised to cancel their trips. Flooding is imminent as different dams are expected to reach its critical level and possibly release huge millimeters of water. About three roads in northern Luzon were impassable due to floods and landslides. About sixty families in Rodriguez, Rizal were evacuated due to severe flooding in the area. Early on July 30, classes were suspended from pre-school to tertiary level as strong winds and severe rainfall were recorded throughout Metro Manila and nearby provinces.[30][31][32][33]

In all, 54 fatalities were confirmed in the Philippines, with three others went missing and 35 people were injured. Almost 950,000 people were affected by Saola. More than 9,300 houses were damages. Damage from the storm amounted to ₱728 million (US$17.3 million), more than half of them was due to agricultural losses.[34]

Taiwan

As the storm made landfall in Taiwan, almost the entire island suspended services as high winds and rains triggered flooding in several locations. Almost 70 inches fell in some areas, ranking Saola within the top 5 wettest cyclones to ever hit the island. Authorities ordered schools and business to shut, with the exception of few major factories. Financial markets were also closed, and would remain until 3 August. Taiwanese Army soldiers rescued more than 1,000 people from remote mountainous villages in the north and east.[35] Two passenger boarding bridges collapsed at Taoyuan International Airport, which serves Taipei, slightly damaging a China Airlines aircraft and forcing the company to scrap the flight. More than 200 international and domestic flight were reportedly cancelled because of the storm.[36]

At least six people were killed and two were missing in Taiwan as of 2 August, in addition to 16 injured.[35][36] Agricultural losses across the island reached NT$1.02 billion (US$34 million).[37]

China

In Fujian Province, a total of 9,708 homes were destroyed and 36,726 more were damaged.[38] Preliminary damage was estimated at ¥1.02 billion (US$160 million).[39] In Hubei Province, over 135,000 people were displaced by the floods and left in need of assistance across the province.[40] In total, 25 people were killed in China, and total economic losses were counted to be CNY17.15 billion (US$2.68 billion).[41]

See also

References
  1. http://www.chiayi.gov.tw/2011web/en/index.aspx?mid=97&rid=1478
  2. http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=36&post=32039
  3. "JMA WWJP25 Warning and Summary July 26, 2012 18z". Japan Meteorological Agency. Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  4. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "Significant Tropical Weather Outlook for the Western and South Pacific Ocean July 26, 2012 01z". United States Navy, United States Airforce. Archived from the original on July 26, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  5. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (July 27, 2012). "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert July 27, 2012 14z". United States Navy, United States Airforce. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  6. "Tropical Depression 10W Advisory 1". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. July 28, 2012. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  7. "Tropical Storm Saola Tropical Cyclone Advisory 280000". Japan Meteorological Agency. July 28, 2012. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  8. "Severe Weather Bulletin Number ONE". Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. July 28, 2012. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  9. "Tropical Storm 10W (Saola) Advisory 2". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. July 28, 2012. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  10. "Severe Tropical Storm Saola Tropical Cyclone Advisory 290000". Japan Meteorological Agency. July 29, 2012. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  11. "Typhoon 10W (Saola) Advisory 10". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. July 30, 2012. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  12. "Tropical Storm 10W (Saola) Advisory 12". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. July 30, 2012. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  13. "Typhoon 10W (Saola) Advisory 14". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. July 31, 2012. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  14. "Typhoon Saola Tropical Cyclone Advisory 311800". Japan Meteorological Agency. July 31, 2012. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  15. "Typhoon 10W (Saola) Advisory 17". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 1, 2012. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  16. "蘇拉花蓮登陸 全台豪雨". Liberty Times. August 1, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  17. "蘇拉》蘇拉打轉　花蓮近海徘徊". Liberty Times. August 2, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  18. "蘇拉轉輕颱　三貂角二度登陸". Apple Daily. August 2, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  19. "「蘇拉」在福建福鼎秦嶼鎮沿海登陸". Ta Kung Pao. August 2, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  20. "WWJP25 RJTD 040600". Japan Meteorological Agency. August 4, 2012. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  21. Central Weather Bureau (2010). "侵台颱風資料庫". Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  22. Unattributed (September 9, 2009). "莫拉克颱風暴雨量及洪流量分析" (PDF). Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Republic of China. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  23. Unattributed (September 9, 2009). "莫拉克颱風暴雨量及洪流量分析" (PDF). Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Republic of China. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  24. Chen Zhi (August 2, 2012). "Typhoon Saola dumps heavy downpours around Taiwan". Xinhua General News. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  25. Joint Typhoon Warning Center; Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (1988). Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1987 (PDF) (Report). United States Navy, United States Air Force. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  26. Lianshou, Chen. Topic 2.1 Observing and forecasting rainfall. Fifth International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  27. "Typhoon Sinlaku Central emergency operation center No.12". Central emergency operation center. September 16, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
  28. Chiu Yu-Tzu (July 20, 2005). "Haitang fizzles out, leaves Taiwan wet". Taipei Times. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  29. Padgett, Gary. "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary: November 2004". Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  30. "Bagyong Gener, nagdulot ng pagbaha sa ilang lalawigan kasama na ang Bulan, Sorsogon at ilang barangay sa Sultan Kudarat #BalitanghaliWeekend : gmanews". Inagist.com. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  31. "Noypistuff: Bagyong Gener PAGASA Update July 28, 2012". Noypistuff.blogspot.com. 2012-07-28. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  32. "La Mesa Dam on red alert as water nears spilling level | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere". GMA News. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  33. "NDRRMC: 3 Luzon roads impassable as Tropical Storm Gener nears | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere". GMA News. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  34. "Final Report re Effects of Tropical Storm GENER and Emergency Response Managemen" (PDF). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. September 20, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  35. "Tropical storm Saola washes over Taiwan". Al Jazeera. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  36. "Six killed as Typhoon Saola lashes Taiwan". Pakistan International. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  37. 王义铭 (August 7, 2012). ""苏拉"台风造成台湾农业损失逾10.2亿元" (in Chinese). China News Service. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  38. "China: Floods - Information Bulletin no 2". International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. ReliefWeb. August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  39. 吴洪 (August 5, 2012). ""苏拉"给我省造成直接经济损失10.16亿元" (in Chinese). Fujian Provincial Government. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  40. Yan (August 6, 2012). "Typhoon-triggered rainstorm leaves 23 dead, 9 missing". Xinhua General News. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  41. China Meteorological Agency (November 26, 2012). Member Report: China (PDF). ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee: 7th Integrated Workshop. ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. p. 15. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.