Tropical Storm Cecil (1989)

Severe Tropical Storm Cecil
Severe tropical storm (JMA scale)
Category 1 (Saffir–Simpson scale)

Tropical Storm Cecil making landfall in central Vietnam on May 24
Formed May 22, 1989
Dissipated May 26, 1989
Highest winds 10-minute sustained: 110 km/h (70 mph)
1-minute sustained: 140 km/h (85 mph)
Lowest pressure 975 hPa (mbar); 28.79 inHg
Fatalities 751 total
Damage $71.7 million (1989 USD)
Areas affected Vietnam, Laos, Thailand
Part of the 1989 Pacific typhoon season

Severe Tropical Storm Cecil in May of 1989 caused devastating floods in central Vietnam, killing 751 people. The storm developed as a tropical depression over the South China Sea on May 22. Tracking north-northwestward, the system steadily intensified, attaining peak winds of 110 km/h (70 mph). The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assessed Cecil to have been slightly stronger with one-minute sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph).[nb 1] The storm made landfall near Hoi An, Vietnam late on May 24 and quickly weakened. The system later dissipated over Laos on May 26.

In Vietnam, heavy rains accompanied the storm, amounting to over 510 mm (20 in) in some areas, triggered catastrophic and deadly flooding. Widespread structural and agricultural losses took place in addition to the significant loss of life, with damage estimated at ₫300 billion ($71.7 million). In the wake of the flooding, some international aid was sent to Vietnam, though most relief work was conducted by the nation's government, local agencies, and the Red Cross.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale

On May 20, following Typhoon Brenda's passage through the South China Sea, a monsoon trough extending from the area into the Bay of Bengal received enhanced low-level southwesterly flow. An environment of weak wind shear in the wake of the typhoon allowed a new area of low pressure to form within the southwesterly flow on May 21. With convection becoming persistent and the system's overall presentation more organized by May 22, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert at 0300 UTC.[2] Around this time, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) classified the system as a tropical depression.[3][nb 2] Later that day, convection wrapped entirely around the center of circulation; this structural improvement, combined with nearby surface observations, prompted the JTWC to designate the system as Tropical Storm Cecil.[2]

Initially, Cecil was forecast to maintain a northward track into a weakness in a subtropical ridge left behind by Typhoon Brenda; however, Cecil turned westward on May 23 due to another ridge over China. With favorable atmospheric conditions, Cecil continued to intensify through May 24. By 0600 UTC, a ragged 75 km (45 mi) wide eye developed over the center of circulation, indicating it had become a typhoon. The storm ultimately attained peak winds of 140 km/h (85 mph) while situated just off the coast of central Vietnam.[5] However, the JMA reported Cecil to have been slightly weaker, classifying it as a severe tropical storm with ten-minute sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph).[3] Around 1800 UTC, the storm made landfall near Hoi An with winds of 130 km/h (80 mph). Once onshore, Cecil quickly weakened to a tropical depression. Turning slightly to the west-northwest, the remnants of Cecil continued inland before dissipating over eastern Laos early on May 26.[2]

Impact and aftermath

In addition to the considerable losses that took place in Vietnam, Cecil also produced heavy rains in Laos and northeastern Thailand, resulting in flooding and crop damage.[2]

Vietnam

Tropical Storm Cecil was regarded as the worst storm to strike Vietnam in 50 years.[6] In some areas, rainfall exceeded 510 mm (20 in).[7] Approximately 105,600 hectares of rice and other crops were destroyed and another 78,300 hectares were otherwise inundated. About 7,500 metric tons of rice seeds were also lost.[8] The hardest hit areas were in Quảng Nam Province, where damage reached ₫300 billion ($71.7 million).[9][10] The storm destroyed at least 10,000 homes were destroyed and damaged another 27,000 buildings,[6] leaving an estimated 336,000 people homeless.[8] Approximately 60 percent of the forests and forestry nurseries in the province were ruined.[11] By June 5, 151 people were confirmed dead across the country with another 600 missing.[8] Eventually, the death toll was revised to 751 as all missing persons were considered dead.[12]

In the wake of the storm, Vietnamese soldiers were deployed to rescue survivors. Local police forces were also stepped up to prevent looting.[7] On June 5 government also requested international assistance to deal with the scale of the disaster. However, this was later retracted on June 16, though spontaneous donations were appreciated. The governments of Australia and France provided Vietnam with $75,188 and $73,964 in funds respectively. Additionally, the Swedish Red Cross donated clothing, which was later distributed by the local Red Cross along with medicine and relief supplies.[8] A total of ₫52 million ($124,000) worth of funds and relief supplies, including 1,600 m (5,200 ft) of fabric, and two tons of clothing, was sent to Quang Nam province.[10]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the western Pacific Ocean and other regions.[1]
  2. ↑ The Japan Meteorological Agency is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the western Pacific Ocean.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. 2011. Archived from the original on July 26, 2007. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cpt. John D. Pickle (1990). "1989 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: Typhoon Cecil (04W)" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. pp. 50–51. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Japan Meteorological Agency (October 10, 1992). "RSMC Best Track Data – 1980–1989" (.TXT). Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center 2000" (PDF). Japan Meteorological Agency. February 2001. p. 3. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Typhoon 04W Best Track" (.TXT). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. 1990. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Worst Natural Disaster". Reuters. Bangkok, Thailand: New Straits Times. June 1, 1989. p. 15F. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  7. 1 2 "Tropical storm". United Press International. Bangkok, Thailand: Ellensburg Daily Record. May 29, 1989. p. 12. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Viet Nam Cyclone Cecil May 1989 UNDRO Situation Reports 1-3". United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs. ReliefWeb. June 16, 1989. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Typhoon kills 140 in Vietnam". Hanoi, Vietnam: Xinhua General News. May 31, 1989.  – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
  10. 1 2 "Central official tours province affected by typhoon". British Broadcasting Corporation. June 7, 1989.  – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
  11. ↑ "Typhoon and torrential rains hit Vietnam". British Broadcasting Corporation. May 31, 1989.  – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
  12. ↑ "Country Disaster Response Handbook: Vietnam" (PDF). Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance. October 2012. p. 9. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
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