Tropical Storm “Yagi” (Enteng) strikes Philippines, floods and landslides claim 11 lives
Featured image: Satellite image of Tropical Storm "Yagi" (Enteng) at 00:10 UTC on September 2, 2024. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
Tropical Storm “Yagi” struck Luzon Island, Philippines on Monday, September 2, 2024. It brought heavy rainfall across the country that led to floods and landslides causing 11 casualties so far. Schools and government offices were shut down and 29 domestic flights were canceled due to the severe weather conditions. After moving over the Philippines, Yagi is expected to rapidly intensify into a typhoon and head toward Hainan Island, China.
Tropical Storm “Yagi” — known as Enteng in the Philippines, formed on September 1 as the 11th named storm of the 2024 Pacific typhoon season. Yagi made its first landfall on September 2 in the eastern province of Aurora on the island of Luzon in the Philippines on Monday, after passing through the Bicol region southeast of Manila overnight on Sunday, September 1.
The storm brought heavy rainfall, which has led to widespread flooding and landslides, particularly in the northern parts of the country, claiming 11 lives so far. The state weather service has warned of continued heavy rain, which could lead to more floods and landslides in the affected areas.
As a precaution, authorities in the capital city of Manila ordered the closure of schools and government offices. Ferry services in some regions were also suspended, and 29 domestic flights were canceled due to the severe weather conditions.
In the Manila suburb of Antipolo, a landslide on Monday resulted in the deaths of three people, including a pregnant woman. According to the city’s information officer, Relly Bonifacio, the bodies of four other individuals were found in separate locations within the same hilly community after creeks overflowed during the night.
The Bicol region, specifically the city of Naga, was among the hardest-hit areas. Rescue workers reported the deaths of a man who was electrocuted and a baby girl who drowned as floodwaters rose in the area.
Joshua Tuazon, a representative from the city’s public safety office, said that the floods reached above head height in some places, and hundreds of residents were rescued. More than 300 people were staying in evacuation camps on Monday, with local officials saying the floodwaters were slow to recede.
In the central city of Cebu, two landslides on Sunday killed two people and damaged five houses, according to reports from the local disaster office.
In Manila Bay, the storm unleashed powerful currents and large waves, causing significant disruption. The coast guard reported that a barge and an oil tanker were hurled onto the seawall, while another barge ran adrift. Additionally, a tugboat and a small passenger ship collided while anchored, resulting in a fire on the passenger vessel. All 18 crew members aboard the ship were rescued, and the Coast Guard arrived to extinguish the fire.
Yagi struck in Casiguran at 14:00 local time (LT), a municipality northeast of Manila, on Monday. The storm brought sustained winds of 85 km/h (53 mph) with wind gusts reaching 105 km/h (65 mph) and was expected to move across northern Luzon overnight before heading out over the South China Sea by early Tuesday, September 2.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the center of Tropical Storm “Yagi” (Enteng) was located in the vicinity of Rinzal, Kalinga at 15:00 UTC on September 2.
The system had maximum sustained winds near 85 km/h (52.8 mph) and gusts to 105 km/h (65.2 mph). It was moving NW at 15 km/h (9.3 mph).
Yagi is forecast to continue moving northwestward over northern Cordillera Administrative Region tonight (LT) and is expected to emerge over the northwestern portion of Ilocos Region by Tuesday morning (LT). From tomorrow afternoon to Thursday, the system will move generally westward over the West Philippine Sea. On the track forecast, this tropical cyclone may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday, September 4.
The system is forecast to maintain tropical storm category during its traverse of mainland Northern Luzon. Further intensification is forecast to occur from tomorrow afternoon onwards, with Yagi becoming a severe tropical storm by tomorrow afternoon or evening (at the earliest), and typhoon category by Thursday, September 5.
PAGASA forecast predicts accumulated rainfall of 100 – 200 mm (3.9 – 7.9 inches) in the Ilocos Region, Apayao, Abra, and Benguet on September 3. Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley and the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region are expected to receive 50 – 100 mm (2.0 – 3.9 inches) of rainfall.
By September 4, the Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur regions will likely experience 50 – 100 mm (2.0 – 3.9 inches) of accumulated rainfall. Rainfall is generally expected to be higher in elevated or mountainous areas, which may lead to flooding and rain-induced landslides, especially in regions identified as highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards. Localities that have already experienced considerable rainfall in recent days are particularly at risk.
Additionally, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will bring moderate to intense rainfall to other areas in Luzon, particularly along the western portions, over the next three days.
Wind signals have been issued to warn the public about the general wind threats posed by the tropical storm. In coastal and upland areas exposed to winds, local winds may be slightly stronger or enhanced, while sheltered areas may experience less strong winds.
Areas under Wind Signal No. 2 should expect minor to moderate impacts from strong winds, while those under Wind Signal No. 1 could experience minimal to minor impacts. The highest possible wind signal during the passage of “Yagi” is Wind Signal No. 3. The enhanced Southwest Monsoon will also bring strong to gale-force gusts in several regions, particularly in coastal and upland areas.
On September 3, these areas include the Ilocos Region, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, and Northern Samar. On September 4, the affected areas will be the Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Aurora, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Negros Occidental, and Northern Samar.
There is a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge in the next 48 hours for low-lying or exposed coastal localities in Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and northern Aurora. Residents in these areas should refer to official hazard maps to identify specific zones susceptible to storm surge inundation.
Over the next 24 hours, Tropical Storm “Yagi” and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will impact coastal waters across the country. A Gale Warning is in effect for the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, making sea travel risky for small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas.
Mariners should refer to Gale Warning No. 4, issued at 23:00, for more information. Additionally, moderate to rough seas are expected over the western seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon (with wave heights of 1.5 – 3 m (4.9 – 9.8 feet)), the western seaboard of Southern Luzon, the eastern and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon outside Gale Warning areas, and the western seaboard of Visayas (with wave heights of 1.5 – 2.5 m (4.9 – 8.2 feet)).
Mariners of small seacrafts are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if they are inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels. Slight to moderate seas, with wave heights of 1 – 2 m (3.3 – 6.6 feet), are also expected over the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao. Mariners in these areas should take precautionary measures and, if possible, avoid navigating under these conditions.
According to the JTWC, the system is forecast to weaken slightly over the next 12 hours as it transits northern Luzon.
After 03:00 UTC on September 3, the system will strengthen steadily as it turns westward and accelerates away from Luzon.
Environmental conditions will become increasingly favorable for rapid intensification (RI) after 15:00 UTC on September 3, with warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of 30 – 31 °C (86 – 87.8 °F), low vertical wind shear (VWS) of less than 19 km/h (12 mph), strong equatorward outflow into the tropical upper-tropospheric trough (TEJ), and improved poleward venting into a strengthening tropical upper-tropospheric trough (TUTT) to the northeast.
Rapid intensification should continue through 15:00 UTC on September 5, with a peak intensity of about 213 km/h (132 mph).
After 15:00 UTC on September 5, the system will gradually weaken as it approaches Hainan Island, China due to increasing frictional effects.
References:
1 Tropical storm triggers landslides in Philippines, 11 dead – France 24 – September 2, 2024
2 Up to 11 reported dead as Tropical Storm Yagi lashes Philippines – Al Jazeera – September 2, 2024
3 Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #13 – Tropical Storm “Enteng” – PAGASA – 15:00 UTC on September 2, 2024
4 Tropical Storm 12W (Yagi) – JTWC – Warning – 15:00 UTC on September 2, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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