Typhoon Fengshen (2008)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Typhoon Fengshen (Frank)
Type=typhoon
Year=2008
Basin=WPac
Image location=Fengshen June 21 0455Z.jpg


Formed=June 16, 2008
Dissipated=June 26, 2008
1-min winds=110
10-min winds=90
Pressure=945
Da

Fatalities=1356 direct, 41 missing
Areas=Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, Guangdong
Hurricane season=2008 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Fengshen (International designation: "0806", JTWC designation: "07W", PAGASA name Frank) was the sixth named storm and the fourth typhoon recognised by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center recognised Fengshen as the seventh tropical depression, the sixth tropical storm, and fifth typhoon of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season.

The name "Fengshen" was submitted to the World Meteorological Organisation's Typhoon Committee by the People’s Republic of China for use from January 1, 2000 and is the Mandarin Chinese name for the God of Wind. [cite web|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/tyname.html|title=Names of Tropical Cyclones|publisher=Japan Meteorological Agency|accessdate=2008-04-20]

Fengshen made a direct hit on the Philippines and China, leaving severe damage and resulted in at least 1354 deaths and leaving 41 people missing. 800 of the 856 people on board the Princess of the Stars were killed when the ship capsized. [ [http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2349900,00.html Ferry owner sues weather bureau: World: News: News24 ] ] Still, the Philippines is the most heavily affected country in the wake of Fengshen.

Meteorological history

A tropical disturbance formed southeast of Yap on June 13 which was originally forecast not to develop into a tropical cyclone. cite web|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2008061313-ABPW.PGTW|publisher=JTWC|title=ABW10 13-06-2008|accessdate=2008-09-01] However it was designated as a Minor Tropical depression with 25 knots (45 km/h, 30 mph) on June 17 by the Japan Meteorological Agency. cite web|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Tokyo/2008061718.RJTD|publisher=JMA|title=JMA Advisory 17-06-2008 18z|accessdate=2008-09-01] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) then issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the developing depression predicting that it would become a tropical cyclone within 24 hours. cite web|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2008061723-WTPN.PGTW|publisher=JTWC|title=TCFA 17-06-2008 23z|accessdate=2008-09-01] During the next day PAGASA upgraded the depression from an area of low pressure and designated it as Tropical Depression Frank, cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YfusBiBl|publisher=PAGASA|title=PAGASA Advisory 18-06-2008 15z|accessdate=2008-09-01] and the JTWC and the JMA then started issuing full advisories on the depression with the JTWC designating it as Tropical Depression 07W. cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YlMA8La8|publisher=JMA|title=JMA Advisory 18-06-2008 12z|accessdate=2008-09-01] cite web|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2008061815-WTPN.PGTW|publisher=JTWC|title=JTWC Advisory 18-06-2008 15z|accessdate=2008-09-01]

Later on June 18 the Joint Typhoon Warning Center reported that the depression had intensified into a tropical storm and subsequently upgraded it to a tropical storm. cite web|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2008061821-WTPN.PGTW|publisher=JTWC|title=JTWC Advisory 18-06-2008 21z|accessdate=2008-09-01] Both PAGASA and the JMA also upgraded the depression to tropical storm status during their next advisories with the JMA assigning the name Fengshen to the storm. cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YgI1d50c|publisher=JMA|title=JMA Advisory 19-06-2008 00z|accessdate=2008-09-01] cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YgRo0NoB|publisher=PAGASA|title=PAGASA Advisory 19-06-2008 03z|accessdate=2008-09-01] Fengshen then rapidly intensified into a severe tropical storm during the next day. cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YhBLMpQ7|publisher=JMA|title=JMA Advisory 19-06-2008 12z|accessdate=2008-09-01] Fengshen continued to rapidly intensify with the JMA & JTWC as well as PAGASA upgrading Fengshen to a typhoon later that day. cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YhROwxNL|publisher=JMA|title=JMA Advisory 19-06-2008 18z|accessdate=2008-09-01] cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YhROwxNL|publisher=JTWC|title=JTWC Advisory 18-06-2008 15z|accessdate=2008-09-01] cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YgRo0NoB|publisher=PAGASA|title=PAGASA Advisory -06-2008 03z|accessdate=2008-09-01]

However by this time the typhoon had already made landfall over eastern Samar on the central Philippine island off Visayas and travelled northwest over the islands. Fengshen was initially forecast to go through the Bicol Region but later on shifted its course further westward, eventually going towards the direction of Mindoro Province. However, before even reaching Mindoro it again shifted its direction northward towards the direction of Metro Manila, mainly because of the weakening of the High Pressure area system in the northern part of the Philippines. [cite web|url=http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=144210|title=PAGASA says typhoon had erratic movement|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=2008-06-23|accessdate=2008-06-23]

Typhoon Frank crossed over Metro Manila between 5 am and 6 am Sunday. This was confirmed by eyewitness reports of the weather becoming suddenly calm after strong winds and rains in Quezon City, Marikina and other nearby areas.

Typhoon Fengshen, after creating havoc in the Philippines, travelled through the South China Sea early on June 23 and was heading northwards towards China. cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YmANCAeq|title=Typhoon Frank (Fengshen)|publisher=PAGASA|date=2008-06-23|accessdate=2008-06-23] Soon after moving into the South China Sea the JMA and PAGASA downgraded it to a severe tropical storm while the JTWC downgraded Fengshen from a typhoon to a tropical storm. PAGASA then issued its final advisory on Tropical Storm Fengshen (Frank) due to Fengshen leaving PAGASA's Area of Responsibility.

Around June 24 22:00 UTC, Tropical Storm Fengshen made landfall at Shenzhen, Guangdong, entering Mainland China. The JTWC announced their final warning later that day.

Preparations

Philippines

From June 20 to June 23, in response to Typhoon Fengshen (Frank) threatening the Philippines, PAGASA at various times issued Public Storm Warning Signal #3 for various parts of Luzon and Visayas as well as Storm Warning Signals 1 & 2 for some parts of Mindanao (specially around the Surigao area). cite web|author=PAGASA|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5YhynCkpU|title=Typhoon Frank (Fengshen) Advisory 07|accessdate=2008-06-20] Gradually over the next few days these storm warnings were scaled back as Typhoon Fengshen (Frank) moved through the country.

Hong Kong

On June 23, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), started to issue public tropical cyclone warnings, on Typhoon Fengshen, by issuing the Standby Signal No.1 as Fengshen was centered within 500 nautical miles of Hong Kong. cite web|url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/informtc/fengshen/report.htm|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory|title=Typhoon Fengshen (0806)|accessdate=2008-07-15] The next day the HKO upgraded the Standby Signal No.1 to the Strong Wind Signal No.3 when Typhoon Fengshen was located within 200 kilometers southeast of the coast of Hong Kong. Late on July 4 the HKO announced that they would upgrade to the Gale or Storm Signal No.8. [ [http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/wr/200806/25/P200806250055.htm Tropical Cyclone Bulletin, The Hong Kong Observatory] ] The next morning, the HKO downgraded the Gale or Storm Signal No.8 to a Strong Wind Signal No.3. All signals were cancelled late on June 25 as Fengshen weakened over land.

Impact

Philippines

At least 598 people have been killed by the typhoon as it dropped torrential rain that caused flooding and mudslides in the Philippines, which means that it could be one of the top ten deadliest tropical cyclones in the Philippines. [ [http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-34170920080622 Typhoon Fengshen kills 155 in Philippines - Red Cross | World | Reuters ] ] In Iloilo province, 59 are reported killed and 40 missing. [cite news|url= http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_3yhnZvsE90p8kvwkFoSW99kjIgD91ETB6G0|title=Officials: Typhoon kills 80 in Philippines|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=2008-06-22|date=2008-06-22] In Iloilo City, 30,000 people were forced onto rooftops when a nearby reservoir burst.cite news|url= http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iJYVQp3vypFxkm76YSfbkba30nnw|title=Typhoon leaves 19 dead, 30,000 stranded in Philippines|publisher=AFP|accessdate=2008-06-21|date=2008-06-21] In the Bicol Region, more than 200,000 people sought temporary shelter from the typhoon. Meanwhile, as the storm passed through Metro Manila and its nearby provinces, it caused widespread brownout which lasted for hours. Also, due to destruction, the PAGASA name Frank was retired. Typhoon Fengshen could be one of the deadliest typhoons to hit the Philippines, killing over 1,300 people here, mostly from the sinking of the "Princess Of The Stars" ferry during the storm (for more information on this, see the maritime tragedy article below.)

The Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on June 23, 2008, reported that: 98 people died, 115 were missing, 66 were hurt, 99,687 families were affected, 155,564 houses were damaged, 53,706 were totally wrecked, and 109,837 were partially destroyed, in 10 regions, due to typhoon "Frank" as of Monday noon (excluding the MV Princess of the Stars incident). The Philippine National Red Cross placed the death toll at 229. Frank destroyed P 500 million crops amid its P 1.7 billion damage to property in Iloilo. The US responded by donating P 4 million and sent USNS Stockham and US Navy P-3 maritime surveillance aircraftship, for rescue. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/102751/NDCC-tally-98-dead-115-missing-66-hurt GMA NEWS.TV, NDCC tally: 98 dead, 115 missing, 66 hurt] ] AFP reported 224 dead and 374 missing (598) as of Monday. [ [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j-IEPqnlMA2_xpkgEk2zfBLBD99A Afp.google.com, 598 dead or missing after Philippines typhoon: officials] ]

The Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported that "Frank" damaged a total of P 3.2 billion worth of agricultural and fish products and more than 300 schools nationwide (P 212 million). Additional damages to infrastructure were pegged at P 750 million, and fishing boats at P110 million, or a total of P 4.27 billion pesos. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080624-144496/NDCC-Damage-from-Frank-seen-to-reach-P427B Inquirer.net, NDCC: Damage from ‘Frank’ seen to reach P4.27B] ] [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/102944/Estimated-typhoon-damages-exceed-P3-billion---NDCC gmanews.tv/story, Estimated typhoon damages exceed P3 billion - NDCC] ]

According to the latest NDCC Situation Report on Typhoon Frank (Fengshen), 557 were dead (excluding the deaths in the MV Princess of the Stars), 87 were missing and 826 wounded. Frank affected 4,784,634 persons in 6,377 barangays in 419 municipalities in 58 provinces all over the Philippines. Damages in agriculture amounted to almost PHP 7.542 billion while infrastructural losses made it to around PHP 5.983 billion, which, all in all, totaled to slightly more than PHP 13.525 billion. The most affected areas were Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and Antique in Panay Island as well as Leyte and Eastern Samar in Region VIII. [http://210.185.184.53/ndccWeb/images/ndccWeb/ndcc_update/TC_FRANK/sitrep33_tyfrank.pdf]

Maritime tragedy

A ferry, the "Princess of the Stars", was capsized near Sibuyan Island in San Fernando, Romblon, and the Philippine Coast Guard was unable to make a rescue attempt because of high waves.cite news|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/world/asia/22Philippines.html?ref=world|title=17 Dead After Typhoon Rattles the Philippines |publisher=New York Times|date=2008-06-21|date=2008-06-21] A rescue ship reached the MV "Princess of the Stars", more than 24 hours after it lost radio contact at 12:30 p.m. EDT (04:30 GMT) on Saturday. About 700 people were on this ship at the time; it is unlikely there are any survivors, and, as of now, only a few have drifted ashore. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7467696.stm BBC NEWS, Philippines ferry hit by typhoon] ] Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Senior Grade Arman Balilo, however, lamented: "They haven't seen anyone. They're scouring the area. They're studying the direction of the waves to determine where survivors may have drifted." [ [http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=2&aid=2008062218 philstar.com/index, Typhoon death toll rises; rescuers reach stricken ferry but 700 still missing] ]

Xinhua reported that the four survivors witnessed "that the captain of the ship ordered the abandoning of the ship at noon Saturday, but many passengers did not even wear life vests when the ship capsized." Four survivors, Jesus Gica, Oliver Amorin, Jessie Buot, and Renato Lanorio, told GMA news that "the ship did not malfunction, but only slowed down its speed as it encountered big waves off the coast of Romblon." Gica saw many people jump, but "the waves were so big and the rains so strong that few of them could have possibly survived; the crew were so busy saving themselves that they did not care to help the passengers to wear safety vests, and that some of the passengers passed out while children and the elderly failed to wear life vests because they could no longer move when the ship was turning upside down." [ [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/22/content_8417847.htm xinhuanet.com, Sunken ferry abandoned at noon Saturday, say filipino survivors] ] [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_3yhnZvsE90p8kvwkFoSW99kjIgD91F0PAO0 ap.google.com, Typhoon Fengshen kills 80 in Philippines] ]

San Fernando Mayor Nanette Tansingco confirmed that four others aboard died and hundreds of passengers were still missing. Dozens of people trooped to the offices of owner Sulpicio Lines, in Cebu and Manila North Harbor in Manila.

The victims' families accused Sulpicio and the Philippine Coast Guard of allowing the ship to set sail despite the bad weather. They further blamed Sulpicio for not personally informing them about the tragedy, the details of the accident, and the condition of the ship plus its passengers. Sulpicio's counsel Manuel Espitan, however stated that "the ship never received advice from Coast Guard, while Metro Manila was still under public storm signal No. 1 when the ship left the port." BBC quoted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as saying: "Why did you allow it to sail and why was there no ample warning? I want answers!" [cite news |first=Lira Dalangin|last=Fernandez |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=‘Frank’ leaves at least 86 dead, 700 missing|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080622-144136/Frank-leaves-at-least-86-dead-700-missing newsinfo.inquirer.net |work= |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=2008-06-23 |accessdate=2008-06-23 ]

Investigation

The 5-member Philippines Board of Marine Inquiry, in its 65-page report dated August 25, 2008 (submitted to the Maritime Industry Authority or Marina), found Sulpicio Lines and its captain liable for the MV Princess of the Stars June 21 maritime tragedy. The BMI recommended that Marina “consider the suspension of the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of Sulpicio Lines in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations (and its criminal liability for the sinking." The final report blamed human error, and ruled that the ship's missing and presumed dead captain, Florencio Marimon, "miscalculated" the risk of continuing the trip to Cebu while the storm raged: "There was a failure of the master to exercise extraordinary diligence and good seamanship thereby committing an error of judgment.The immediate cause of the capsizing of MV Princess of the Stars was the failure of the Master to exercise extraordinary diligence and good seamanship thereby committing an error of judgment that brought MV Princess of the Stars in harm's way into the eye of typhoon Frank or Typhoon Fengshen (2008). It is found negligent for its failure to exercise its duty in ensuring that they transport passengers and cargo safely to (their) destination.”

Sulpicio said 52 survived the tragedy and 312 bodies were recovered of 825 passengers listed. The rest were declared missing and presumed dead. Sulpicio may appeal within 30 days, the Board's recommendation to the Maritime Industry Authority (Philippines) and the Department of Transportation. Meanwhile, cargoes of 5 toxic pesticides and other poisonous substances are still on board the ferry and will be refloated on September. [ [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j4iXf1A25QEfFtGkgE_Z1nEse8yw afp.google.com, Probe blames captain, company for Philippines ferry disaster] ] [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/27/2348363.htm?section=justin www.abc.net.au/news, Human error to blame in Philippines ferry disaster: inquiry] ] [ [http://www.manila-shimbun.com/category/english/news180172.html manila-shimbun.com, Panel blames ship captain, Sulpicio Linees officials for ferry sinking] ] [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSMAN22254620080827 reuters.com/article, PRESS DIGEST - Philippine newspapers - August 27] ] [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/116375/Sulpicio-bucks-BMI-findings-on-Princess-tragedy gmanews.tv/story, Sulpicio bucks BMI findings on ‘Princess’ tragedy] ] Sulpicio Lines, the 2nd largest cargo carrier in the Philippines, accounts for 40% of all cargo movement across the country. [ [http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20080827-157097/License-for-suspension globalnation.inquirer.net, ‘License for suspension’] ]

China and its provinces

Hong Kong

Hong Kong was spared a direct hit from Typhoon Fengshen.cite web|url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/blog/en/index.htm|author=CY Lam|title=Typhoon Fengshen|accessdate=2008-07-17] However, it brought torrential rain and caused minor flooding, blocking major roads with fallen trees and signs. At the Hong Kong International Airport, 317 flights were delayed and 26 flights were cancelled. As the Gale or Storm Signal No.8 was raised, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort had to delay opening the park until after the Signal had been downgraded to the Strong Wind Signal No.3.cite web|url=http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/general/general?name=WeatherArrangementPage|title=Weather Arrangements|accessdate=2008-07-17] However the Strong Wind Signal No.3 caused all outside activity of Hong Kong Disneyland to be stopped.

Macau and other parts of the region

The Strong Wind Signal No.3 was issued in Macau and torrential rain and minor flooding spread throughout the region. The signal was cancelled when the typhoon gradually weakened. Fengshen caused only minor effects in this area, including light rainfall.

Retirement

On June 27, PAGASA announced that the name Frank was retired from the lists and will never be used again to name a storm in the Philippines. cite web|author=ABS-CBN|title=PAGASA sees 16 more typhoons to hit RP till Dec|publisher=ABS-CBN| accessdate=2006-12-08|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5ZMZEfGMs]

External links

* [http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/digital-typhoon/summary/wnp/s/200806.html.en Digital Typhoon page on Fengshen]
* [http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/tyname.html Meaning of typhoon names (JMA)]
* [http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc.php Joint Typhoon Warning Center]

References