Typhoon Ketsana
Typhoon Ketsana, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Ondoy, was the second-most devastating tropical cyclone of the 2009 Pacific typhoon season, causing $1.15 billion in damages and 921 fatalities, only behind Morakot earlier in the season, which caused 789 deaths and damages worth $6.2 billion. Ketsana was the sixteenth tropical storm, and the eighth typhoon of the season. It was the most devastating tropical cyclone to hit Manila, surpassing Typhoon Patsy (Yoling) in 1970. Ketsana formed early about to the northwest of Palau on September 23, 2009. The depression remained weak and was downgraded  to a low pressure area later that day by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and after drifting through extremely favorable conditions, it intensified the next day and was categorized as Tropical Depression by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and was given the name Ondoy after entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the depression. It was then upgraded to a tropical depression by the JMA later that morning before the JTWC followed suit early on September 25, designating the depression as 17W. Soon, Ketsana  was upgraded to a tropical storm before passing over the Philippines. As it moved into the South China Sea the storm intensified while moving toward the west, and was categorized as a Severe Tropical Storm by the JMA. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a "state of calamity" encompassing most of Luzon after at least 86 people were initially reported dead in landslides and other incidents. Flood water levels reached a record in rural areas. As of October 24, 2013, at least 464 deaths in the Philippines were officially reported from the typhoon. Meteorological history. On September 23, 2009, the Japan  Meteorological Agency (JMA), reported that a seasonal tropical depression had formed about to the northwest of Palau. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) then reported later that day that the depression had a developing low-level circulation center and was in a favorable environment with low vertical wind shear. The JMA then reported that the depression had weakened into an area of low pressure. However, early the next day, as deep convection started to consolidate around the low-level circulation center, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the low-pressure area had become a tropical  depression and assigned it a local name of Ondoy. Later that morning, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert as central convection had continued to organize around a consolidating elongated but exposed low-level circulation center. The JMA then re-upgraded Ondoy to a tropical depression later that morning before the JTWC followed suit early on September 25, designating it as Tropical Depression 17W when it was located about 400 nm east of Manila in the Philippines. At this stage, the system was moving along the southern side of the subtropical ridge and had good poleward outflow into a  tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT) cell. Throughout September 25 the intensification of Ondoy was hampered by the system moving into an area of moderate vertical wind shear and by an upper-level trough of pressure that was moving over the system. But later that day the JTWC upgraded it to a tropical storm despite its low level circulation center being partially exposed. The JMA followed suit early the next day, assigning the international name of Ketsana and the international designation of 0916 to the storm. PAGASA then reported that Ketsana had made landfall on Northern Luzon near the boundary of  the Philippine provinces of Aurora and Quezon. As a result of making landfall, its low-level circulation center had become fully exposed, but as the storm moved into the South China Sea, it dramatically deepened and expanded while moving west and was upgraded to a severe tropical storm by the JMA early on September 27. During September 27, Ketsana gradually developed further and was upgraded to a typhoon by the JTWC and the JMA early the next day, as multiple convective bands were continuing to consolidate more tightly around the low-level circulation center, leading to the formation of a  disorganized eye. Typhoon Ketsena then intensified quickly under favorable conditions, reaching peak windspeeds later that day of and which made it a Category 2 typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson scale. Ketsana then made a second landfall on Quảng Nam in Vietnam, at 0600 UTC on September 29 at its peak intensity. It then rapidly weakened into a Severe Tropical Storm, with the JTWC issuing its last advisory later that day; however, the JMA continued to monitor Ketsana as a Severe Tropical Storm until later that day, when it downgraded it to a Tropical Storm before further downgrading it to a  Tropical Depression early the next day when the center of the depression was located over Laos. The JMA monitored the storm as a weak tropical depression until late on September 30, when it released its final advisory. Preparations. Philippines. On September 24, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed the provinces of Aurora, northern Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes under Public Storm Warning Signal#1 which meant that winds of were expected to affect those areas within 36 hours. PAGASA raised public storm signal no. 2 for the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur , and Polillo Island in Quezon. On September 28, PAGASA lifted all public storm signals in the country as Ketsana left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) the same day. After the floods struck, some were critical of the government's failure to predict the scale of the disaster or to lessen the damage it caused. China. Late on September 27, both the Hong Kong Observatory and the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau placed Hong Kong and Macau under the Standby Signal No.1. The Bureau then considered hoisting the Strong Wind Signal 3, but decided it was not needed for Hong  Kong, while Macau hoisted it early the next day. These warnings were kept in force until later that day when all warnings were lowered. On September 29 it was announced that parts of southern China would be placed under an orange warning with certain regional meteorological bureaus entering a level 3 emergency response. Vietnam. On September 27, the Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting issued a public storm warning signal named "Number 9." The Vietnamese government evacuated some 170,000 people. The government instructed residents to secure their homes with fortified hard wood and sandbag roofs. Also, authorities mobilized several  thousand military personnel and police to help residents evacuate from the typhoon's path. Fishing vessels were called to return to their ports. This caused thousands of crops to fail. Impact. Philippines. Ketsana caused widespread flash flooding in the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Marikina, Malabon, Muntinlupa, Quezon, Makati, Pasay, Pasig, Taguig, Valenzuela, and San Juan. Flooding also occurred in the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and other Calabarzon areas. Major roads were rendered impassable because of huge flood currents and clogged cars. Air flights were canceled because of heavy rains. Earlier, power interruptions were reported in Camarines Norte and  minor landslides occurred in Camarines Sur. EDSA was closed because of heavy flooding. Defense secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDCC) chairman Gilbert Teodoro asked the DOTC to keep MRT and LRT lines operational to accommodate stranded passengers. On the afternoon of September 26, Gilbert Teodoro declared an overall state of calamity in Metro Manila and the nearby 25 provinces in Luzon hit by the typhoon, allowing officials to utilize emergency funds for relief and rescue. Army troops, police, and civilian volunteers were deployed to rescue victims. The Philippine National Red Cross and Philippine Coast Guard dispatched  teams to rescue stranded and trapped people. At that time, the average height of flooding was from two feet to waist high, and in some areas more than six feet. Even Malacañang Palace was opened to those who were in need. The landslides and severe flooding left at least 246 people dead and 38 others missing. Public and private roads were clogged by vehicles stuck in floodwater. Thousands of motorists and more than 500 passengers were stranded at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx). Distress telephone calls and emails from thousands of Metro Manila residents and their worried relatives flooded television  and radio stations overnight as most of the power supply, communication, and water supply were lost. Ketsana also caused Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) closed for almost a day. The economic region of Metro Manila and many adjoining provinces incurred damages to both infrastructure and agriculture. As of September 28, 2009, total damages from Ketsana were estimated at $100 million. Internet cafés, entertainment plazas, banks, food stores, building agencies, and stores were soaked with water and mud. Many people were warned of leptospirosis. Marikina, part of Metro Manila, was the most devastated region in the Philippines: almost all of  the city's area was submerged in water up to ten feet deep and tons of knee-deep mud. During the typhoon, the Marikina River broke its banks and transformed streets into rivers. Marikina residential areas, particularly Provident Village, were badly affected by flooding; at least eight people were found dead. Marikina itself recorded 78 deaths, the highest among Metro Manila cities. At the height of the flooding, around 100,000 liters of bunker oil from the paper manufacturing firm Noah's Paper Mill in Marikina spilled. Most of the oil battered the city's barangays and a relatively small amount  was washed into the basement of the SM City Marikina shopping mall. The spill later complicated rescue efforts in the city. Over a two-day period starting on September 29, the National Power Corporation Flood Forecasting and Warning System released 500 cubic meters per second of stored water from the Angat Dam in Bulacan. The dam had accumulated 100 cubic meters per second when Ketsana hit the province. Mandaluyong also recorded more than of flooding, especially in Gen. Kalentong St., where flooding was more than deep, badly affecting the local campus of Arellano University. The street recorded the highest flooding  outside the Marikina area. In Mindanao, several towns in Cotabato City and nearby Sultan Kudarat municipalities were submerged. The closing of the national highway in Bulalo, Cotabato City led to the isolation of connecting towns for several days. Vietnam. Ketsana's maximum winds were reported at with gusts as strong as as it crossed over the South China Sea and approached land. Two persons were killed by falling trees and electric lines. Heavy rains and strong winds lashed a stretch of coastline from Thừa Thiên–Huế to Quảng Ngãi, with rainfall causing massive flood surges in Huế, Bình Định, and  Kon Tum provinces. Record high water levels were reported in rivers of Quảng Ngãi, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai. Airports, schools, communications, and electricity in the affected area were shut down. Strong winds also destroyed parts of the north–south high voltage powerline, the backbone of Vietnam's electricity grid. In total the typhoon killed 179 people in Vietnam, 23 during the first hours after landfall; 8 people were missing and 1,140 injured. Total economic losses caused by Ketsana were 16.07 trillion VND (US$896.1 million). Cambodia. The weakening typhoon struck northeastern Cambodia as one of the most severe storms  ever to lash the country, with the worst damage in Kampong Thom Province in central Cambodia. Death tolls reached 43 people. More than 66,000 families were forced from their homes by floodwaters. Laos. There was major flooding in the southern and central provinces of Laos, and much of the country experienced heavy rain and light flooding. Water was up to knee height in the province of Saravane, and at least 26 people died. The cities of Savannakhet and Pakse were worst affected since they were directly on the pathway of the typhoon and directly on the Mekong River. In the  Si Phan Don area in Champassak Province, some people took refugee on the roofs of their houses. The floods devastated rice fields and homes. Attapeu was the worst hit province, with nearly 90% of the province affected. Thailand. As the weakening Ketsana moved through the country, widespread heavy rainfall and flash flooding were reported in 40 provinces. The heavy rainfall also helped to fill up natural reservoirs within the country. The depression partially damaged 4680 houses and destroyed 44, as well as of agricultural land. Ketsana also injured one person and killed two before moving out of the country as  an area of low pressure and dissipating on October 3 over the Andaman Sea. Total damages were estimated at just over $20,000,000. Three dams in Chai-ya-poom were damaged by the heavy rainfall, while in Pattaya nine boats were sunk waves reported to be over two metres high. Aftermath. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) documented a record-high amount of rainfall in 24 hours at . They also reported that Ketsana's rainfall was recorded from 8am PST/ 0000 (UTC) of Saturday (September 26) to 8am PST/ 0000 (UTC) of Sunday (September 27 ). The amount of rainfall recorded for six hours, which was , was comparable to the 24-hour rainfall in 1967. The damage to property was estimated to be P6 billion, including P4.1 billion in damage to infrastructure, P1.9 billion in damage to schools, and P882.525 million in damage to agriculture. According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics of the Department of Agriculture (DA), an estimated 126,721 hectares of rice-farming land were destroyed, which would affect almost 3% of the country's annual expected rice production. Added to this, Ketsana devastated some 1,374 hectares of corn plantations. Some 48 hours after  Ketsana struck Metro Manila, the Philippine government appealed to the international community and the United Nations for help. Various United Nations agencies, the United States, the People's Republic of China, and Japan provided emergency assistance to the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines. The United States donated $50,000, while China and Japan gave $10,000 and $20,000 respectively. Australia provided $ 1 million and Thailand also provided humanitarian services. Germany donated €500,000 as well as Taiwan donated $50,000. The United States also deployed Marines to help rescue victims in the Cainta and Pasig areas , as well as for search and retrieval operations for dead bodies. Special Forces Operators and other U.S. service members attached to Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines also assisted in aid efforts. An additional 3,000 U.S. troops were expected to arrive to assist in relief efforts. U.S. Nonprofit international disaster relief organization AmeriCares shipped $3.2 million worth of medical aid for Ketsana survivors. An Israeli search and rescue party, and doctors, nurses, and paramedics were sent to the Philippines. In the Philippines, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) headed the rescue and relief operations for the citizens affected by  Ketsana's flooding. There was also a counterpart private-sector effort among companies and NGOs to provide and coordinate relief activities in various areas. The Philippine Army deployed about 1,000 soldiers in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces to help in operations. The Philippine Red Cross and the Philippine Coast Guard also deployed teams in rubber boats to rescue people stranded in their homes. On the Internet, citizens turned to various social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Plurk, and Multiply to share news updates and forward cries for help from people trapped in the floods. Google Maps was used to pinpoint locations  of stranded people while various blogs and websites shared information on how to donate money and in-kind goods. Donations arrived from all over the world and were sorely needed. After Typhoon Ketsana and Typhoon Parma, the government of Japan gave the Philippines a P1.7-billion (3.350 billion yen) grant to improve the country's weather monitoring and information dissemination system. Paracel Islands incident. Vietnamese officials and media reported that Chinese naval forces mistreated Vietnamese fishermen who tried to take shelter from the typhoon in the disputed Paracel Islands. The Chinese Navy allegedly fired on Vietnamese fishing boats when they  tried to take shelter at Tru Cau island to escape Typhoon Ketsana and after being allowed to stay on the island for several days, they were robbed and beaten by Chinese forces before leaving. Vietnam and China have an agreement that fishermen from either country can ride out storms in the other's territory. Nguyen Viet Thang, chairman of the Vietnam Fishery Association, said his organization was preparing an official protest to China over the incidents. Colonel Bui Phu Phu, vice chief of the border guard forces of the fishermen's home province of Quảng Ngãi, confirmed the accusations and  said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should send a protest to China. An official at the Chinese embassy in Hanoi said China had no comment on the accusations. Retirement. Due to the damage and deaths caused by the storm, the names "Ketsana" and "Ondoy" were later retired. The committee selected the name "Champi" to replace "Ketsana" on the Western Pacific basin name lists beginning in 2011. It was first used in the 2015 season. In June 2012, the name selected by PAGASA to replace "Ondoy" was "Odette" and was first used in the 2013 season. Removal of Prisco Nilo. When  President Benigno Aquino III took office in June 2010, PAGASA Chief Administrator Prisco Nilo was fired and removed from his post on August 6. The agency accused Nilo of having a supposedly fool-proof forecast of Typhoon Ketsana as the typhoon struck over Metro Manila. Aquino adds lack of disaster preparedness and slow installation of Doppler weather radar and other equipment, and slow voluntary response that left the agency unmodernized. Nilo left PAGASA after Graciano Yumul, Jr., took Nilo's vacant seat. This similar accusation also happened on the aftermath of Typhoon Conson (Basyang) in July 2010. Nilo was in  Australia for his new post as weather forecaster of the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).