Tropical Storm Sinlaku (2020)
Tropical Storm Sinlaku was a weak but deadly tropical cyclone that impacted Vietnam, Thailand and Laos in August 2020. Beginning as a tropical depression on July 31 in the South China Sea, Sinlaku was the fifth storm of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season. It gradually organized as it took a slow west-northwest course, strengthening into a tropical storm the following day despite its monsoonal structure. The storm subsequently made landfall in Vietnam as a broad but weak tropical storm. Persistent land interaction weakened Sinlaku, leading to its degeneration into a remnant low on August 3.
Tropical storm (JMA scale) | |
---|---|
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Tropical Storm Sinlaku at peak intensity, approaching Halong Bay, in Vietnam on August 1. | |
Formed | July 31, 2020 |
Dissipated | August 3, 2020 |
(Remnant low after August 2, 2020) | |
Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 65 km/h (40 mph) 1-minute sustained: 65 km/h (40 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 992 hPa (mbar); 29.29 inHg |
Fatalities | 6 total |
Damage | Unknown |
Areas affected | Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos |
Part of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season |
Sinlaku brought heavy monsoonal rains to much of South Asia, especially to Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Two people were killed in Vietnam, and four people were killed in Thailand.
Meteorological history
In late July 2020, an area of atmospheric convection began to persist approximately 410 km (255 mi) east of Virac, Catanduanes.[1] The low-pressure area then moved towards Luzon, emerging in the West Philippine Sea with little to no organization.[2][3] The low-pressure system then later left the Philippine Area of Responsibility and in the South China Sea,[4] when the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) designated the system, located approximately 288 km (179 mi) east of Manila, Philippines, a low-chance of developing, situated within a environment generally conducive for the formation of a tropical cyclone.[5]
On the following day, July 31, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) designated the invest as a tropical depression.[6] About nine hours later, the JTWC upgraded the depression's chance to develop at medium, assessing that the depression is a monsoon depression.[5] In an environment of low vertical shear, good poleward outflow and 29-31°C sea surface temperatures,[5] the depression continued to organize, and by the next day, the JMA upgraded depression to a tropical storm, naming it Sinlaku.[7] The JTWC would later follow suit, upgrading the monsoon storm to tropical storm status.[8] Sinlaku would later not intensify further, although the JMA said the storm's pressure lowered to 992 hPa (29.29 inHg).[9] The storm would later make landfall on northern Vietnam,[10] and both agencies issued final advisories on Sinlaku.[11][12]
The remnants of Sinlaku emerged in the northern Indian Ocean, recreating strong convections and causing heavy rains in the Ganges River region to northwest Myanmar.
Preparations and impact
Philippines
As a low-pressure area, Sinlaku dumped heavy rain associated with the southwest monsoon over regions of Luzon and Visayas.[3] After crossing Luzon, the storm exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility but it intensified the monsoon.[4]
Thailand
Four people were killed in Thailand from flooding due to Sinlaku's heavy rains.[13]
Vietnam
Two people died in 2 in Hoa Binh and Quang Ninh Provinces, in northeast Vietnam. The Copernicus emergency satellite mapping service was activated on 3 August to support the damage assessment across northern Vietnam.[13]
Laos
In Xayaboury Province, more than 1,000 people were been affected and over 200 houses were damaged.[13]
See also
- Tropical cyclones in 2020
- Tropical Storm Mun (2019) - a similar storm that hit similar regions in 2019.
References
- Jordan, Angelic (July 27, 2020). "Isang LPA, binabantayan ng PAGASA sa loob ng bansa – PAGASA". DZIQ. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- Lalu, Gabriel (July 29, 2020). "LPA may cross Luzon in 24 hours while bringing rains over area, Visayas". Inquirer.net. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- Gonzales, Catherine (July 30, 2020). "LPA may exit PAR this Thursday; southwest monsoon to bring rains in most parts of PH". Inquirer.net. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- Lalu, Gabriel (July 30, 2020). "Pag-asa: LPA leaves PH but intensifies southwest monsoon". Inquirer.net. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- "WPAC: SINLAKU - Post-Tropical". Storm2K. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- "REASONING NO. 1 FOR TD" (RSMC Tropical Cyclone Prognostic Reasoning). Japan Meteorological Agency. July 31, 2020. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- "REASONING NO. 6 FOR TS 2003 (SINLAKU)" (RSMC Tropical Cyclone Prognostic Reasoning). Japan Meteorological Agency. August 1, 2020. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 04W (Sinlaku) Warning NR 001" (Tropical Cyclone Prognostic Reasoning). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 1, 2020. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- "REASONING NO. 9 FOR TS 2003 (SINLAKU)" (RSMC Tropical Cyclone Prognostic Reasoning). Japan Meteorological Agency. August 2, 2020. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- Gutro, Rob (August 2, 2020). "NASA Catches Tropical Storm Sinlaku's Vietnam Landfall". Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "TD DOWNGRADED FROM TS 2003 SINLAKU (2003)" (RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory). Japan Meteorological Agency. August 2, 2020. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- "Tropical Storm 04W (Sinlaku) Warning NR 005" (Tropical Cyclone Final Warning). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 2, 2020. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- "Vietnam, Laos, Thailand - Tropical Cyclone SINLAKU update (GDACS, NOAA, Copernicus EMS, Reliefweb, Floodlist, media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 04 August 2020)". reliefweb.int. European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. August 4, 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
External links
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