PDC Updates | Jul 16, 2010
Conson
The image above, captured using PDC’s Natural Hazards and Vulnerabilities Atlas, shows the variability of Conson’s intensity: At right, it appears as a tropical depression. Winds strengthen to (green) over 63 KPH, and it is a tropical storm. Near the Philippines, winds reach more than 117 KPH making Conson (orange) a typhoon. The system then weakens in the Philippines, only to strengthen in the South China Sea, and weaken again as it crossed Hainan, China.

Tropical storm Conson (03W), down from the recent typhoon stage, will continue to drop in strength through the remainder of its life cycle. The latest Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) warning bulletin #22 (11 a.m. HST, July 16), shows that it had 60 knot sustained winds (69 mph), with stronger gusts to near 75 knots (86 mph). Conson was traveling towards the west-northwest (295 degrees) at 12 knots (14 mph).

As this storm moves over the warm water of the Gulf of Tonkin, it will continue to pick up tropical moisture, feeding very heavy showers near the center, and well out from there. This will be the major threat of this tropical cyclone, as it heads towards the coast of Vietnam. The area between Nam Dinh and Haiphong, looks likely for a landfall. Ships at sea, and mariners in general, should try and avoid this dangerous storm. High winds will kick up very rough seas, with high swell activity, leading to threatening high surf along the coast.

Reuters
Residents wade through a flooded street caused by Typhoon Conson in Las Piñas, on the southwestern edge of Metro-Manila, on Wednesday, July 14. (Source: Reuters)
Heavy-flooding rainfall will make flooding a distinct danger to the coastal areas, with flash flooding and landslides likely. The second largest Vietnamese city, Hanoi, will be very near the center of the storm as it moves inland. The geographical area in Hanoi is prone to flooding in low lying areas, and the population of this large city should seek higher ground, or face the danger of drowning. As Conson moves further inland, it will rapidly weaken over mountainous terrain, although still carrying great amounts of heavy rainfall with it, making more flooding very likely for interior areas of Vietnam.

Typhoon Conson—known locally as Basyang—passed through the Philippines, before reaching China or Vietnam. According to a story in the Manila Bulletin, “The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Friday placed the death toll from typhoon “Basyang” to 38, with 47 persons still missing. Estimated cost of damage to infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, and schools…”

AFP
A man repairs his storm-damaged home near Manila. Shanty towns erected by squatters in coastal areas near the capital were swept away by Typhoon Conson. (Source: AFP)
Beyond the Philippines, according to a Voice of America (VOA) story, Conson crossed the relatively warm waters of the South China Sea, making landfall at Sanya, in China’s Hainan (island) Province. The VOA article said, “Officials warned that heavy rains from the typhoon would worsen the misery in several Chinese provinces where severe flooding has already killed 135 people and destroyed more than 100,000 homes.”

Death tolls and damage estimates in the Philippines and China are likely to be adjusted upward as clean-up and repair efforts continue.

For additional, related information, refer to:

  • PDC published one earlier article about Typhoon Conson.
  • Watch and track tropical cyclones and other hazards using PDC’s Atlas.
  • Have an iPad or iPhone? Download PDC’s free Disaster Alert app at iTunes or AppShopper.
  • Learn more about hurricanes-typhoons-tropical cyclones on PDC’s website.
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