15 Dec 2017 | 03:53 PM UTC
Philippines: Kai-Tak poses flooding and landslides risk through Dec. 18 /update 1
Risk of flooding and landslides from Tropical Storm Kai-Tak (Urduja) to remain through December 18; associated transportation disruptions expected in affected areas
Event
Tropical Storm Kai-Tak (named "Urduja" in the Philippines) is forecast to make landfall in the Philippines on Saturday, December 16, in Northern Samar or Eastern Samar province. As of 20:00 (local time) on Friday, December 15, the storm was nearly stationary about 240 km (150 mi) east of Borongan City (Eastern Samar province), with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (46 mph). Forecasts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) show the storm will slowly move northwest over the coming days.
As of Friday, Kai-Tak continues to lash the Eastern Visayas with heavy rainfall; the storm has dumped over 97 cm (38 in) of rain on Guiuan municipality (Eastern Samar province) since Wednesday, December 13. Kai-Tak has also inundated Borongan Airport (RPVW) with roughly 64.5 cm (25 in) of rain over the past few days. Tacloban City (Leyte province) has declared a "state of calamity." Some 80 barangays (wards) of the city have been flooded out of 138 in total; over 1000 families have reportedly been evacuated from the affected areas. Landslides have been reported in eight barangays.
A tropical cyclone warning "Signal No. 2" - indicating that winds of 61-120 km/h (38-75 mph) are expected within 24 hours - is currently in effect for Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran provinces, according to PAGASA. A lesser "Signal No. 1" warning - indicating that 30-60 km/h (18-37 mph) winds are expected in 36 hours - has been issued for several parts of the central Philippines. Local rainfall totals may exceed 100 cm (40 in) in parts of the Eastern Visayas, and 30 cm (12 in) along other areas in Kai-Tak's forecasted path. Kai-Tak is expected to bring additional heavy rainfall, and a consequent risk of flooding, landslides, and transportation disruptions, to the central Philippines (from the Eastern Visayas to Mimaropa) through Monday, December 18. The storm is projected to weaken to a tropical depression (with maximum sustained winds of less than 61 km/h [38 mph]) by Monday after moving over the Philippines, and then reintensify on Tuesday, December 19, and Wednesday, December 20, after reaching the South China Sea.
Context
Typhoons and tropical storms regularly strike the Philippines during the monsoon season - which spans from November to April in the northeast, and from May to October in the southwest.
Advice
Individuals present in the Philippines are advised to monitor local weather reports, confirm travel reservations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. Be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation order is given.
Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.
