Tropical Storm Krovanh (2020)

Tropical Storm Krovanh, known in the Philippines as Tropical Depression Vicky, was a tropical cyclone which caused deadly flooding in the Philippines during December 2020. The 31st depression and 23rd and final named storm of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season, Krovanh originated from a tropical depression which was first monitored by PAGASA, late on December 17. The system strengthened with PAGASA naming it Vicky, meanwhile the JMA monitored it as a low pressure area. The depression then made several landfalls over the Philippines on December 18–19 before moving out of the PAR on December 20, as it strengthened into a tropical storm according to the JMA and was named Krovanh. However, Krovanh was downgraded back to a tropical depression the next day, with the JTWC issuing their final advisory on December 22.

Tropical Storm Krovanh (Vicky)

Tropical storm (JMA scale)
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Tropical Storm Krovanh over the South China Sea on December 20
Formed	December 18, 2020
Dissipated	December 25, 2020
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 65 km/h (40 mph) 1-minute sustained: 55 km/h (35 mph)
Lowest pressure	1000 hPa (mbar); 29.53 inHg
Fatalities	9 deaths 1 missing
Damage	$4.48 million (2020 USD)
Areas affected	Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand
Part of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season

Krovanh caused flash flooding and mudslides across the Philippines damaging numerous homes. 9 people were killed by the storm and 1 person remains missing as of December 23, 2020. Damage in the Philippines totaled to around ₱213.2 million (US$4.48 million) ^[1]

Meteorological history

 

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

  Tropical cyclone

  Subtropical cyclone

  Extratropical cyclone / Remnant low / Tropical disturbance / Monsoon depression

On December 17 at 21:00 UTC, the PAGASA began issuing bulletins for a system 140 nautical miles (260 km) east-southeast of Davao.^[2][3] The PAGASA had already recognized the system as a tropical depression and named it Vicky, however at the time, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) only recognized the system as a low-pressure area.^[4] The next day, the JMA followed suit and recognized the system as a tropical depression.^[5] At 14:00 PHT (6:00 UTC), the system made landfall in Baganga, Davao Oriental.^[6] 9 hours later, it emerged off the coast of Misamis Oriental and entered the Bohol Sea, later entering the Sulu Sea on the next day at 5:00 PHT (21:00 UTC).^[7] On December 19 at 23:00 PHT (15:00 UTC), Krovanh made its second landfall over central Palawan, emerging into the South China Sea shortly after.^[8][9] As the storm traversed the South China Sea, the system had strengthed into a tropical storm according to the JMA as it emerged into a region of relatively favorable atmospheric conditions, thus given the name Krovanh.^[10] On December 20 at 14:00 PHT (6:00 UTC), Krovanh left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, although storm signals were still raised for the Kalayaan Islands.^[11] The PAGASA then upgraded Krovanh into a tropical storm, and issued a Signal No. 2 warning for the Kalayaan Islands.^[12] The next day, December 21, Krovanh was downgraded into a tropical depression by both the JMA and by the PAGASA in their final advisories for the storm.^[13][14] The JTWC then issued their final warning on Krovanh the next day shortly after most of its central convection had dissipated due to increasingly hostile wind shear.^[15]

Preparations and impact

Philippines

Large swaths of Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Signal No. 1 warnings due to Krovanh.^[16] Sea travel was subsequently suspended in the areas affected by the warnings.^[17] Roughly 10,000 people stayed in shelters.^[18] Floods and landslides were triggered in Cebu, Agusan del Sur, Davao de Oro, and in Leyte, where two senior citizens were killed in a landslide. In Lapu-Lapu City, 300 residents were forced to evacuate after 76 houses near the shore were swept into sea.^[19] Damages have been estimated to total up to ₱213.2 million (US$4.48 million). At least nine people were killed by the effects of Krovanh.^[20] At least 31,408 families were affected by the storm in the Philippines.^[21]

Malaysia

The Malaysian Meteorological Department issued an advisory for the state of Sabah, for the possibility of rough seas and gusty winds associated with Krovanh.^[22]

See also

•  Tropical cyclones portal
•  Philippines portal

• Weather of 2020
• Tropical cyclones in 2020
• Typhoon Tembin (2017)
• Tropical Storm Usagi (2018)

References

1. Agencies (2020-12-21). "At least 9 killed in floods, landslides in Philippines". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
2. (PDF). PAGASA. 17 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
3. . Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2020-12-17. Archived from the original on 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
4. . Japan Meteorological Agency. 2020-12-17. Archived from the original on 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
5. "Tropical Cyclone Information". Japan Meteorological Agency. 2020-12-18. Archived from the original on 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
6. "Severe Weather Bulletin #5 for Tropical Depression 'Vicky'" (PDF). PAGASA. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
7. "Severe Weather Bulletin #9 for Tropical Depression 'Vicky'" (PDF). PAGASA. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
8. "Severe Weather Bulletin #14 for Tropical Depression 'Vicky'" (PDF). PAGASA. 19 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
9. "Sitrep No. 2 re Preparedness Measures and Effects for Tropical Depression "VICKY"" (PDF). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. 2020-12-19.
10. . Japan Meteorological Agency. 2020-12-20. Archived from the original on 2020-12-20. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
11. "Severe Weather Bulletin #19 for Tropical Depression 'Vicky' (Krovanh)" (PDF). PAGASA. 20 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
12. "Severe Weather Bulletin #20 for Tropical Storm 'Vicky' (Krovanh)" (PDF). PAGASA. 20 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
13. . Japan Meteorological Agency. 2020-12-21. Archived from the original on 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
14. "Severe Weather Bulletin #22-FINAL for Tropical Depression 'Vicky' (Krovanh)" (PDF). PAGASA. 20 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
15. . Joint Typhoon Warning Center. December 22, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020.
16. "Signal No. 1 raised in some areas due to Tropical Depression Vicky". cnnphilippines.com. CNN Philippines. December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
17. Carlo Lorenciana (December 18, 2020). "Coast Guard Cebu suspends sea trips due to 'Vicky'". pna.gov.pj. Philippines News Agency. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
18. AFP. "Thousands flee as heavy rains strike Philippines". shine.cn. Shine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
19. Nishimori, Aleta Nieva (2020-12-19). "'Vicky' triggers floods, landslides in parts of Visayas, Mindanao; at least 2 dead". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
20. "Vicky leaves 8 dead, ₱110M infra damage — NDRRMC". CNN Philippines. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
21. Govt. Philippines (December 24, 2020). "DSWD DROMIC Report #5 on Tropical Depression "VICKY" as of 22 December 2020, 6PM". reliefweb.int. ReliefWeb. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
22. "MetMalaysia issues tropical storm Krovanh advisory in Sabah". malaymail.com. MalayMail. December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.

External links

 

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