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 dissipation on August 3.

Tropical Storm Sinlaku
Satellite image of Sinlaku at peak intensity on August 2. The system had an exposed center at the time before moving inland.
Tropical Storm Sinlaku at peak intensity, approaching Vietnam on August 2
Meteorological history
FormedJuly 31, 2020
DissipatedAugust 3, 2020
Tropical storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds75 km/h (45 mph)
Lowest pressure985 hPa (mbar); 29.09 inHg
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds85 km/h (50 mph)
Lowest pressure989 hPa (mbar); 29.21 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities4 total
Damage$12.9 million (2020 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos
IBTrACS
Part of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season

Sinlaku brought heavy monsoonal rains to much of Southeast Asia, especially to Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Two people were killed in Vietnam, and two people were killed in Thailand.

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

In late July 2020, an area of atmospheric convection began to persist approximately 410 km (255 mi) east of Virac, Catanduanes.[1] Afterwards, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) designated the system a low-chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.[2] Although situated within an environment generally conducive for the formation of a tropical cyclone,[2] the low-pressure area moved towards Luzon, emerging in the South China Sea with little to no organization.[3][4] The low-pressure system then later left the Philippine Area of Responsibility and moved towards the South China Sea.[5] By the following hours, the JTWC upgraded the disturbance's chance to develop at medium, assessing that the disturbance is a monsoon depression.[2]

On the following day, July 31, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) designated the invest as a tropical depression.[6] In a favorable environment of low vertical shear, excellent equatorial outflow and 31 °C sea surface temperatures,[2] 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 depression 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]

Preparations and impact

Philippines

As a low-pressure area, Sinlaku dumped heavy rain associated with the southwest monsoon over regions of Luzon and Visayas.[4] After crossing Luzon, the storm exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility but it intensified the monsoon.[5]

Vietnam

In preparation for the storm, Nghệ An Province authorities recalled over 3,000 vessels carrying over 15,000 sailors to shore. Vietnam prime minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc urged relevant ministries and agencies "to remain updated on the developments of the storm, and map out scenarios for the possible risks of flashfloods, landsides, and severe flooding."[13]

Nearing the northern coast, Sinlaku caused heavy rains across the area, damaging more than 4,000 hectares of crops and over 9,000 hectares of rice crops. The storm damaged over 1,400 houses, with 32 houses being flooded with 30-40 centimeters. Two people were dead, 1 in both Hoa Binh and Quang Ninh provinces, and two were injured in the province of Lam Dong. A thunderstorm from the storm broke 29 trees in districts of Hanoi.[14] The Copernicus emergency satellite mapping service was activated on 3 August to support the damage assessment across northern Vietnam.[15] Total damages were about 300 billion đồng (US$12.94 million).[16]

Thailand

Moving towards Thailand, Sinlaku's heavy rains caused flash flooding which two people were killed.[15] In Loei Province, the storm brought heavy rains and flash flooding, submerging around 550 households and damaging farmland in the province. In total, 1,399 households were affected by the flash floods.[17]

Laos

In Xayaboury Province, more than 1,000 people were been affected and over 200 houses were damaged.[15]

See also

References
  1. Jordan, Angelic (July 27, 2020). "Isang LPA, binabantayan ng PAGASA sa loob ng bansa – PAGASA". DZIQ. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  2. "WPAC: SINLAKU - Post-Tropical". Storm2K. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  3. Lalu, Gabriel (July 29, 2020). "LPA may cross Luzon in 24 hours while bringing rains over area, Visayas". Inquirer.net. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  4. 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.
  5. Lalu, Gabriel (July 30, 2020). "Pag-asa: LPA leaves PH but intensifies southwest monsoon". Inquirer.net. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  6. "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.
  7. "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.
  8. "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.
  9. "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.
  10. Gutro, Rob (August 2, 2020). "NASA Catches Tropical Storm Sinlaku's Vietnam Landfall". Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  11. "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.
  12. "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.
  13. Huong, Rosy (August 2, 2020). "Vietnam weather August 2: Storm Sinlaku heads toward northern, north-central regions". Vietnam Times. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  14. Thiệt hại do bão số 2 gây ra trên cả nước (Report) (in Vietnamese). Radio Free Asia. August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  15. "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.
  16. "Bão số 2 làm 3 người chết, thiệt hại ít nhất 300 tỉ đồng". caobang.gov.vn. August 6, 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
  17. North, Isan provinces ravaged by 'Sinlaku' (Report). Bangkok Post. August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
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