Effects of Typhoon Durian in the Philippines

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Typhoon Durian (Reming)
Typhoon (JMA scale)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Durian 2006-11-29 0730Z coastlines.png
Typhoon Durian near peak intensity east of the country
DurationNovember 30–December 1, 2006
Winds10-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph)
1-minute sustained: 240 km/h (150 mph)
Pressure918 hPa (mbar); 27.11 inHg
Fatalities1,399
Damage$110 million (2006 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines
Part of the 2006 Pacific typhoon season
History

Effects

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Typhoon Durian, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Reming, caused heavy damage across the island nation in November 2006. On November 30, 2006, Durian became the fourth typhoon equivalent to a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale to strike the Philippine island of Luzon, having earlier brushed the offshore Catanduanes. The storm crossed the country, but damage was heaviest in southeastern Luzon, particularly around the Mayon Volcano in the Bicol region. Intense rainfall affecting the volcano, estimated at around 600 mm (24 in), caused deadly lahars, or volcanic landslides. Six nearby villages were nearly destroyed, with thousands of homes washed away in minutes.

Background[]

See also: Meteorological history of Typhoon Durian

The northwestern Pacific Ocean is the most active tropical cyclone basin in the world, with a 50-year average of 26 (±5) tropical storms developing across the region in a given year.[1] The Bicol region, where Durian first struck, is located at the southeastern portion of the Philippine island of Luzon, and is affected by an average of 8.4 tropical cyclones per year.[2]

Typhoon Durian formed as a tropical depression on November 24 near Chuuk State and moved generally west-northwest,[3] becoming a tropical storm two days later.[4] Favorable environmental conditions enabled the system to rapidly intensify on its approach to the Philippines.[3] On November 28, Durian entered the area of responsibility of PAGASA – the Philippines' weather bureau – who gave the local name Reming to the storm.[5] Durian reached its peak strength with ten-minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and a barometric pressure of 915 mbar (hPa; 27.02 inHg) on November 29 before striking the Philippines,[4] striking northern Catanduanes and later Camarines Sur in southeastern Luzon.[5] Durian was the fourth typhoon equivalent to a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale to strike the island of Luzon in 2006.[6] Continuing westward, Durian weakened over the archipelago and struck northern Mindoro on December 1.[5] That day, Durian emerged into the South China Sea as a minimal typhoon. On December 5, the storm struck Vietnam south of Ho Chi Minh City. Durian quickly weakened to a tropical depression thereafter and continued westward over the Gulf of Thailand, and eventually dissipated over the Bay of Bengal.[7][3][4]

Preparations[]

Satellite image of Durian over the Philippines on November 30

Before Durian made its damaging landfall in the Philippines, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued various tropical cyclone warnings and watches, including Public Storm Warning Signal #4 for Catanduanes, Albay, and both Camarines Sur and Norte provinces; this was the highest warning signal, in which winds of over 100 km/h (60 mph) were expected.[8][9] The Philippines' National Disaster Coordinating Council issued severe weather bulletins and advisories,[5] and overall, 25 provinces in the archipelago were placed on storm alert.[10] Residents in warning areas were advised of the potential for storm surge, flash flooding, and landslides.[5]

The severe threat of the typhoon prompted over 1.3 million people to evacuate their homes, many of whom stayed in the 909 storm shelters.[5] Officials advised residents in low-lying areas to seek higher grounds.[8] School classes in Sorsogon and in Northern and Eastern Samar were suspended,[5] and many buildings opened up as storm shelters.[8] In Naga City, about 1,500 citizens left for emergency shelters. 1,000 were evacuated elsewhere in the region,[11] including 120 in the capital city of Manila and more than 800 in Legazpi City.[10] The threat of the typhoon caused ferry, bus, and airline services to be canceled,[8] stranding thousands of people for several days.[9] All shipping traffic was halted in the Mimaropa region.[12] The Philippine Coast Guard grounded all vessels on open waters, stranding around 4,000 ferry passengers in Quezon province.[10] PAGASA turned off its weather radar in Virac to prevent damage.[8]

Impact[]

Precipitation map of Durian from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission

Typhoon Durian affected about 3.5 million people in the Philippines,[5] of whom about 120,000 were left homeless.[13] Durian damaged 588,037 houses, including 228,436 that were destroyed, many of which were made out of wood.[5][6] Across the country, the storm wrecked 5,685 schools, estimated at US$63.5 million in damage. The Bicol Region accounted for 79% of the damaged schools, affecting around 357,400 children.[14] Damage was estimated at ₱5.45 billion (PHP, US$110 million).[5][nb 1] As of December 27, 2006, the death toll stood at 734, with 762 missing.[5] The International Disaster Database listed 1,399 deaths in the Philippines related to Durian,[16] making it the second deadliest natural disaster in 2006 after an earthquake in Indonesia.[17]

While crossing the Philippines, Durian dropped 466 mm (18.3 in) of rainfall at Legazpi, Albay in 24 hours,[18] including an hourly total of 135 mm (5.3 in).[6] The 24 hour total was the highest in 40 years for a station in the Bicol region.[2] Gusts were estimated as high as 260 km/h (160 mph).[6]

The worst of the storm effects were in Albay, Camarines Sur, Cataduanes, Mindoro, and Quezon.[19] The storm damaged coconut plantations,[6] with all of the trees in Bacagay wrecked, affecting the livelihood of half of the residents. Overall, about 30,000 ha (74,000 acres) of rice fields were destroyed,[20] accounting for 65,481 metric tons of corn; 19,420 metric tons of rice were also damaged. However, the crops were already harvested, so the storm's agriculture effects were minor.[5] The storm also wrecked 1,200 fishing boats, severely affecting the local fishing industry, and killed many livestock.[20]

Heavy rainfall caused rivers and irrigation canals to exceed their banks.[6] Many creeks and small streams were flooded in the Bicol region.[2]

Mayon Volcano[]

Map of Legazpi within Albay province, in relation to Mayon Volcano

The eye of Durian passed near Mayon Volcano as it struck the Bicol region. In the mountainous region, a process known as orographic lift produced heavier rainfall than near the coast, with totals possibly as high as 600 mm (24 in).[6] On November 30, the rainfall became very heavy and prolonged, saturating the soil.[2] Lahars – a type of landslide originating from a volcanic ash – formed quickly along the southern and eastern rims of Mayon Volcano, which had produced a fresh layer of ash in August 2006. The lahars destroyed dykes and dams meant to contain the debris flow,[6] which were not designed to prevent major landslides.[18] Warnings were issued for potential lahars, but the rapid development of the debris flows as well as power outages meant populations did not receive adequate warning. Initially, the lahars were contained by a layer of grasslands, although the unstable nature of the volcanic soil caused the grounds to collapse. Within 21 minutes, the lahars descended Mayon Volcano, quickly covering and wrecking six communities. After the initial series of lahars, further ash flow descended to the ocean to the north of Mayon Volcano.[6]

North of Legazpi, the ash flow covered or damaged portions of the Pan-Philippine Highway.[6] In the small barangay – small town – of Maipon, nearby streams coalesced into a valley filled with muddy waters. The landslide arrived quickly and washed away or destroyed houses in the path. Several people died while attempting to cross to higher grounds. Similar conditions affected nearby Daraga, where 149 people died. Around that city, the landslide reached 2 m (6.6 ft) deep and 307 m (1,007 ft) wide, enough to cover 3 story buildings, while floods enlarged the nearby Yawa River by 600%.[2] About 13,000 families had to leave their homes due to the landslides.[21]

In Albay province alone, there were 604 deaths and 1,465 people who sustained injuries. Damage in the province totaled $71 million (USD).[22] The storm also damaged 702 of the 704 schools in the province.[23]

Aftermath[]

View of Mayon Volcano from December 2006, which caused deadly landslides that killed thousands

On December 3, 2006, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of national calamity, due to the successive impacts of typhoons Xangsane, Cimaron, and Durian.[5] The 39th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific/World Meteorological Organization's Typhoon Committee met in Manila, Philippines from December 4–9, soon after the onslaught of the floods from Durian. The committee's regional director stated in their report, "I wish to extend WMO’s sincere condolences and sympathy to your Government and to the Philippine people who were adversely affected by the past typhoons." During the session, the committee retired the name Durian,[24] which was replaced by Mangkhut in 2008.[25] PAGASA also retired the local name "Reming" in 2006 and replaced it with "Ruby".[26]

After the successive impacts of Xangsane and Durian caused widespread power outages, the Bicol region lost about $250 million in economic output.[27] The unemployment rate in the Bicol region rose to about 30%, and many who retained their jobs earned less than before the storm.[17] In the aftermath of Durian, all relief activities were coordinated through the Philippines' departments of Health and Social Welfare and Development. A fleet of over 200 vehicles transported relief supplies – food, construction materials, clothing, and medicine – to the Bicol region on December 12. The Philippine Air Force airlifted supplies and medical teams to Bicol and offshore Catanduanes, with the National Disaster Coordinating Council supplying 17,350 sacks of rice to those areas. The Departments of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health sent teams to help victims cope with stress and consoled the families of the deceased, aided by psychiatrists. The Department of Health also distributed tents and sleeping bags, provided vaccines to people in evacuation camps, and ensured proper burial of storm casualties. There was a minor outbreak of diarrhea in the evacuation camps that affected 142 people in Legazpi, and other evacuees were also ailed by the cold, coughing, and fever. Local governments in Albay worked to ensure areas retained clean water by using disinfectants and temporary latrines.[5] The Philippine government provided ₱119 million (US$2.4 million) toward rebuilding the damaged schools in Albay, only 23% of the required cost to repair all of the schools.[23]

The government assessed that about 35% of those who lost their houses had the resources to rebuild without assistance; this meant that 144,692 houses had to be rebuilt.[14] Many of the storm victims left homeless resided in tent camps, schools, and temporary shelters, until more permanent buildings were built.[21][23] The Red Cross housed about 60,000 people across ten provinces in temporary shelters.[28] The Philippine government planned to quickly build more permanent homes, although there were difficulties in securing land and materials for the new housing. By March 2007, government and international agencies only provided 6.9% of the necessary homes, forcing people to stay in shelters longer than expected.[23] By a year after the storm, over 10,000 families still stayed in transit camps in Albay and Camarines Sur.[29] Various organizations helped the homeless secure housing. The government of Italy funded a ₱26 million (US$525,000) project to rebuild 180 houses in Albay. The Italian government also helped build new livelihood centers to provide jobs, provided new boats, and donated about 80,000 coconut seeds to replant trees.[30] In the eight months after Durian struck, the Philippine National Red Cross, in conjunction with the International Red Cross, delivered building supplies to about 12,000 families to repair their homes or build new ones. The organizations encouraged residents to rebuild houses away from vulnerable areas.[31] The International Organization for Migration, in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development, built 907 homes and new community centers.[32] The Philippine government released ₱76 million ($1.5 million) in funds to build 1,089 houses.[33] UNICEF provided emergency funding to rebuild 50 daycare centers that were damaged by the typhoon.[34] Habitat for Humanity helped repair about 1,200 homes,[35] build about 2,000 new houses, and rebuilt four schools in Sorsogon.[36]

Around Mayon Volcano, officials enacted search and rescue missions for victims affected by landslides.[5] Workers quickly excavated lahar-filled valleys, bridges, and river beds to rebuild dykes. Farmers quickly regrew damaged crops, while schools and homes were cleaned and rebuilt. Stronger concrete dykes were built around populated communities.[6] The government developed relocation plans for three landslide-prone areas in Albay.[5] In 2011, the Regional Development Council approved a budget to construct additional dams along the Mayon Volcano to prevent the deadly floods and landslides that occurred during Durian.[37] Dams were scheduled to be constructed around the volcano after a 1981 study, but these were delayed due to budget constraints.[2]

International assistance[]

On December 17, the Philippine government issued a $46 million appeal to the United Nations for financial assistance coping with Durian.[5] This was after the country already depleted its yearly emergency funding for disasters.[38] In response, various United Nations' departments provided about $2.6 million in emergency funding, and by late December 2006, 14 countries had provided donations to the Philippines.[5] By the end of January, only 7.1% of the appeal was raised.[14] By the end of April 2007, four Asian countries – China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore – donated ₱54 million (US$2.2 million) worth of emergency supplies, such as clothing, medicine, and food.[39][40] Various companies and local organizations donated to the relief effort, such as medicine, food, water, transport supplies, clothes, and money.[41] Individuals and corporations donated ₱68 million (US$1.4 million) in cash and supplies.[39]

The Red Cross, which responded to the repeated storms of 2006, launched an appeal that raised $9.67 million for the Philippines. In March 2009, the agency completed the missions responding to the 2006 storms and transferred the remaining funds to help repair from Typhoon Fengshen in 2008.[42] The International Organization for Migration developed the Humanitarian Response Monitoring System in response to problems in the management of the aftermath of Durian,[43] and also provided 12,750 metric tons of building supplies, medicine, and water in the storm's immediate aftermath.[29] OXFAM built 242 latrines and 99 bath houses to ensure proper hygiene.[23] The Tzu Chi Foundation set up a temporary medical camp in Tabaco to provide free health care to storm victims.[44] The International Labour Organization built a livelihood center in February 2008 to help provide jobs to storm victims.[17] The World Bank, in conjunction with the Philippines' National Power Corporation, funded a $21.6 million project to repair the damaged power lines in the typhoons' aftermath. The agencies also upgraded 118 electrical towers by 2008 to stabilize power supply during typhoons. As a result, there were minimal power outages during the passage of Tropical Storm Higos (Pablo) in 2008.[27]

Beginning in January 2007, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization distributed about 150 packs of vegetable seeds and farm tools to displaced residents in three Bicol provinces, as part of the sustainable recovery program planned by the Philippine government for storm victims.[45][20] By a year after the typhoon, farmers had regrown their rice and vegetables, utilizing a rebuilt irrigation system. The World Food Programme supplied fishermen with materials to rebuild damaged boats, allowing them to resume catching fish by May 2007.[20] The agency also provided monthly food rations to displaced residents in Albay,[46] totaling 294 tons of rice to about 6,000 families;[47] however, the food distribution programs ended in December 2007, causing food shortages in the first few months of 2008 among those still displaced.[21] UNICEF distributed 1,750 water purification tablets, along with jerrycans and water containers, to ensure access to clean water.[23]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ The total was originally reported in Philippine pesos. Total converted via the Oanda Corporation website.[15]

References[]

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  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c "台風0621号 (0621 Durian)" (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan Meteorological Agency. 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
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  31. ^ Erik Olsson (June 26, 2009). Red Cross builders brace for Philippine storms. International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  32. ^ Philippines - US Ambassador hands over IOM-USAID homes to displaced survivors of Typhoon Reming. International Organization for Migration (Report). ReliefWeb. October 24, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  33. ^ Philippines: DSWD releases P76m for construction of core shelter units in Bicol. Government of the Philippines (Report). ReliefWeb. July 6, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
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  35. ^ Philippines: Blitz build to boost HFH Philippines' new home constructions In typhoon-hit Bicol. Habitat for Humanity International (Report). September 3, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  36. ^ HFH Philippines to rebuild four schools and 3,000 homes for Typhoon Durian survivors. Habitat for Humanity International (Report). ReliefWeb. February 6, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  37. ^ Ed de Leon (March 2, 2011). Philippines: Dams to be built around Mt. Mayon. Government of the Philippines (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  38. ^ Philippines: 2006 typhoon appeal. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Report). ReliefWeb. February 12, 2007. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
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  40. ^ Philippines: DSWD kicks-off Japan-funded food-for-work project for typhoon Reming victims. Government of Japan (Report). ReliefWeb. July 20, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  41. ^ "Philippines: DSWD list of donors and donations for victims of TY Reming". Government of the Philippines. ReliefWeb. January 29, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  42. ^ Philippines: Typhoons Appeal no. MDRPH002 Firnal report. International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (Report). ReliefWeb. March 6, 2009. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  43. ^ IOM Hands Over Disaster Response Tracking Database to Philippines Government. International Organization for Migration (Report). ReliefWeb. January 15, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  44. ^ Tzu Chi's medical mission to Philippines: Protecting the health of the poor. Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation (Report). ReliefWeb. March 9, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  45. ^ Philippines: FAO donates vegetable seeds, farm tools to new settlements. International Organization for Migration (Report). ReliefWeb. August 5, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  46. ^ Philippines president visits WFP typhoon relief operation. World Food Programme (Report). ReliefWeb. August 29, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  47. ^ WFP expands aid to victims of typhoon Reming in the Philippines. World Food Programme (Report). ReliefWeb. February 23, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
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