Tropical Storm Usagi (2001)

Tropical Storm Usagi was a weak but deadly tropical cyclone that impacted Vietnam and Thailand on early-August 2001. The eighteenth tropical cyclone and the thirteenth named storm of the 2001 Pacific typhoon season, Usagi originated from an area of convection persisted over the South China Sea on August 8. Over low to moderate wind shear, it moved slowly to the west, strengthening to a tropical depression on the same day. Despite favorable conditions, upper-level easterlies inhibited the storm for further intensification while moving westward. However, the JMA, JTWC, and the CMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm, with the former naming it Usagi, shortly before making landfall on Ha Tinh, Vietnam on August 10. It weakened inland and was last noted over Thailand, the next day.[1]

Tropical Storm Usagi
Tropical Storm Usagi over the South China Sea on August 9
Meteorological history
FormedAugust 8, 2001
DissipatedAugust 11, 2001
Tropical storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds65 km/h (40 mph)
Lowest pressure992 hPa (mbar); 29.29 inHg
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds75 km/h (45 mph)
Lowest pressure994 hPa (mbar); 29.35 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities176 total
Damage$3.2 million (2001 USD)
Areas affectedVietnam, Thailand, Laos
IBTrACS
Part of the 2001 Pacific typhoon season

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
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

An area of convection developed into a weak tropical depression in the South China Sea, just west off Luzon on August 8. On the next day, operationally, the JTWC began on issuing advisories on the system as Tropical Depression 13W. However, post-analysis showed that the system had already intensified into a tropical depression several hours earlier. Despite with an exposed center, a weak banding feature began to develop around it. Organization of the 13W improved slightly, and by August 10, the system had intensified into a tropical storm, with the JMA naming it Usagi.[2] Usagi reached its maximum intensity only with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 65 km/h (40 mph). By 18:00 UTC, Usagi moved inland Vietnam, just to the south of Hanoi, and therefore the JTWC issued its final advisory on the system.[3] The storm continued moving westward over land until it was last noticed by the JMA on August 11.[4]

Preparations and impact

Despite the system making landfall on Vietnam, no damages and fatalities were reported; however, there were reports of flooding throughout the area.[5] The Thai Meteorological Department on the neighbouring country, Thailand reported that over 176 people died due to the flash floods and landslides from the remnants of the storm, with Lom Sak District the worst affected.[6] Flash floods also affected Laos.[7] In total, Usagi killed more than 176 individuals due to the floods across Thailand and nearby Laos and displaced more than 450,000 people.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-11-30. Retrieved 2006-08-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Paul Rockett; Mark Saunders (January 25, 2002). "Summary of 2001 NW Pacific Typhoon Season and Verification of Authors' Seasonal Forecasts" (PDF). TropicalStormRisk.com. Retrieved January 25, 2002.
  3. ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/extremeevents/specialreports/Climate-Watch-August-2001.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjfys7u6fzuAhUl-2EKHcjPDmAQFjAGegQIBxAC&usg=AOvVaw2SJFqqbQQBhV1jqsd1NYbv&cshid=1613973948941
  4. Padgett, Gary (August 2001). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary August 2001". Summaries and Track Data. Australiansevereweather.com.
  5. "Vietnam: Floods - Information Bulletin n° 1 - Viet Nam".
  6. "Typhoon Triggers Flooding in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos - 2001-08-12 | Voice of America - English".
  7. "Death Toll Climbs in Thailand Flash Flooding - 2001-08-12 | Voice of America - English".
  8. "Flood tragedy in Thailand linked to deforestation".
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