Tropical Storm Vicente (2005)

Tropical Storm Vicente was a short-lived but deadly tropical storm which caused severe flooding in Vietnam and Thailand in September 2005.

This article is about the 2005 tropical storm. For other storms of the same name, see Tropical Storm Vicente.
Tropical Storm Vicente
Tropical storm (JMA scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Tropical Storm Vicente at peak intensity on September 17
Formed16 September 2005
Dissipated18 September 2005
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 85 km/h (50 mph)
1-minute sustained: 95 km/h (60 mph)
Lowest pressure985 hPa (mbar); 29.09 inHg
Fatalities22 direct
Damage$3.48 million (2005 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines, China, Vietnam, Thailand
Part of the 2005 Pacific typhoon season

Meteorological history
Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Tropical Depression 16W formed 205 nautical miles (375 km) east-southeast of Dong Tac Airport, Vietnam on the morning of 16 September. It reached tropical storm strength overnight local time and was named Vicente, a Chamorro male name. Shortly after forming, Vicente interacted with a tropical disturbance west of Luzon and made a cyclonic loop. Vicente then absorbed the disturbance before passing just south of Hainan Island. Eventually, Vicente tracked into the Vietnam coast northwest of Huế on 18 September and gradually dissipated.[1]

Preparations

China

On 17 September, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a standby signal No.1 as the outer bands of Vicente brought showers and thunderstorms to Hong Kong. The signal was dropped the next day as the storm moved away from Hong Kong. Red flags were hoisted at numerous beaches due to the rough seas.[2]

Vietnam

Ahead of the storm, about 9,000 residents evacuated inland while others worked to protect the thousands of dykes along the shore.[3]

Thailand

In anticipation of severe flooding in the capital city of Bangkok, about 2,000 water pumps and 1.7 million sandbags were deployed to prevent significant flooding and to minimize the flooding from nearby rivers. Large forklift trucks were sent to ten stations set up around the city to assist any large trucks which might run into trouble during the storm. An additional 130 smaller forklifts were provided to assist smaller vehicles.[4] A total of seven million sandbags were stockpiled for use around the country.[5]

Impact

China

Tropical Storm Vicente brought showers and thunderstorms to southern China but had little impact. Rough seas produced by the storm caused the drownings of two swimmers in Ham Tin Wan of Sai Kung. The lowest pressure recorded was 1010.4 hPa (mbar) on September 17.[2] The rough seas also led to a Chinese ship striking a reef. All 17 crew members were rescued.[1]

Vietnam

Vicente dropped heavy rains throughout Vietnam, notably peaking at 310 mm (12.2 in) in Sơn La, 198 mm (7.7 in) in Tam Đảo District, and 164 mm (6.4 in) in Hòa Bình. Upwards of 150 mm (5.9 in) fell within 30 hours in northern areas of the county. The rains led to increased water levels in the Thao River, which threatened to overflow and flood several villages. In Thanh Hóa Province, an estimated 1,600 homes collapsed and 9,700 dykes were damaged. Large expanses of rice fields were submerged in floodwaters.[3] In Hà Tĩnh Province, a total of 3,500 homes were submerged by floodwaters and an additional 450 residences were evacuated.[6] An additional 3,000 homes were damaged and 250 were destroyed in other areas throughout Vietnam. A landslide in Yên Bái Province killed three people and injured five others. Flooding destroyed a bridge in Duong Quy and inundated a newly built school.[7] A boy in Quỳnh Lưu District was killed when a tree, knocked down by the storm, fell on him.[8] A total of 40,000 hectares (98,842 acres) of farmland was lost due to the storm. Damages totaled to ₫55 billion (US$3.48 million).[3] In all, at least 20 people were killed by the storm.[1]

Thailand

The remnants of Vicente dropped heavy rains over drought-stricken areas of Thailand. One reservoir, which has a maximum capacity of 8 million cubic metres (282.5 million cubic feet), contained only 312,000 cubic metres (11 million cubic feet) of water. Following the storm, the reservoir gained 288,000 cubic metres (10.1 million cubic feet) of water. At least seven homes were inundated with mud due to the rains in Soi Siang Tai.[9]

See also

References
  1. Gary Padgett (February 12, 2006). "Monthly Tropical Weather Summary for September 2005". Typhoon 2000. Archived from the original on 2009-07-10. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  2. Staff Writer (September 29, 2005). "Tropical Storm Vicente (0516)". Hong Kong Observatory. Archived from the original on May 15, 2006. Retrieved February 19, 2005.
  3. Staff Writer (September 20, 2005). "Timely preparation reduces damage from Storm Vicente". Vietnam News. Archived from the original on 2005-11-22. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  4. "Tropical Storm 'Vicente': Bangkok braces for severe floods". The Nation. September 18, 2005. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  5. "Tropical Storm: Vicente sweeps across Isaan". The Nation. September 20, 2005. Archived from the original on 2012-10-02. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  6. Dartmouth Flood Observatory (2006). "2005 Flood Archive". Dartmouth. Archived from the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  7. Staff Writer (September 21, 2005). "Rescue, recovery efforts in storm-hit regions continue". Vietnam News. Archived from the original on 2005-11-23. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  8. Vietnam News (September 20, 2005). "Tropical storm wreaks havoc in central province". VietnamNet Bridge. Archived from the original on 2007-01-11. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  9. "Vicente blows in good news and bad". Phuket Gazette. September 19, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
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