September 1929 Philippines typhoon

The September 1929 Philippines typhoon was a destructive tropical cyclone that killed over 200 individuals in the Philippine Islands during the 1929 Pacific typhoon season.[1] It was first noted on August 31 to the east of Manila while moving to the west. It then became a typhoon while turning to the west-northwest, hitting the Bicol Region while recording a minimum barometric pressure of 954.62 hPa early the next day on Polillo, Quezon. After crossing the archipelago, it turned to the northwest before dissipating through the weather maps on September 6.

September 1929 Philippines typhoon
The typhoon, nearing landfall on the Bicol Region on September 01
Meteorological history
FormedAugust 31, 1929
DissipatedSeptember 6, 1929
Unknown-strength storm
Lowest pressure954.62 hPa (mbar); 28.19 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities120 reported
Missing210
Damage>$800,000 (1929 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippine Islands, Republic of China

Part of the 1929 Pacific typhoon season

The damages caused by the typhoon were described as intensive. Strong winds and flash floods were seen in Infanta and Polillo, both in Tayabas (present-day Quezon Province), respectively. A dam also overflowed in the area, causing catastrophic damage. The fury of the storm was also experienced in the other parts of Luzon. The water supply in Manila was affected, causing a major crisis.[2] The typhoon also set a record for the ninth wettest tropical cyclone in the Philippines, which is recorded in Virac, Catanduanes. The numerical damages were estimated at $800,000, 1929 USD with 120 deaths and 210 missing.

Meteorological history

edit

While the storm's intensity was uncertain, the typhoon was first noted on August 31 as a persistent low on weather maps, roughly 350 miles to the east of Manila, Philippine Islands.[3] On the next day, it dramatically strengthened to a typhoon as it started to move slowly to the west.[4][5]

Over the next hours, the circulation of the system increased, as being evidenced by weather maps.[6] Early on September 2, it slightly turned west-northwestward due to another system brewing in its east.[6] At the same time, an aneroid barometer located in Polillo, Tayabas recorded a minimum barometric pressure of 716 millimetres (28.2 inches) while in a calm condition (possibly in the typhoon's eye).[5] At 22:00 UTC that day (6:00 am PHT), the typhoon passed near the northern coasts of Camarines Norte and Infanta, Tayabas before heading out to the South China Sea.[5] The storm passed through the Paracel Islands before turning to the northwest.[5][7] It then slowed down again before turning westward, before disappearing on weather maps by September 6 as it entered the Gulf of Tonkin.[5][8]

Impact

edit
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in the Philippine islands
Highest-known totals
Precipitation Storm Location Ref.
Rank mm in
1 2210.0 87.01 July 1911 cyclone Baguio [9]
2 1854.3 73.00 Pepeng (Parma) (2009) Baguio [10]
3 1216.0 47.86 Trining (Carla) (1967) Baguio [9]
4 1116.0 43.94 Iliang (Zeb) (1998) La Trinidad, Benguet [11]
5 1085.8 42.74 Feria (Utor) (2001) Baguio [12]
6 1077.8 42.43 Lando (Koppu) (2015) Baguio [10]
7 1012.7 39.87 Igme (Mindulle) (2004) [13]
8 902.0 35.51 Dante (Kujira) (2009) [14]
9 879.9 34.64 September 1929 typhoon Virac, Catanduanes [15]
10 869.6 34.24 Openg (Dinah) (1977) Western Luzon [16]

Very destructive damage was seen and reported in Luzon following the typhoon's approach and pass during September 2 and 3.[5] Gusty winds and flash floods were experienced by inhabitants throughout Infanta and Polillo, all in Tayabas, respectively.[5] In addition, a dam burst in Bulacan due to heavy rainfall, causing an unknown number of deaths and widespread damage.[2] Many villages in the path of the typhoon were either washed out or destroyed by storm surges and floods. In other parts of Luzon, the fury of the typhoon wasn't large but still experienced, being described as "very extraordinary" by some authorities.[5][17] The Philippines' Chapter of American Red Cross also reported that many families were without food due to the storm.[17] Adding on, the water supply in the capital Manila was heavily affected, causing a wide crisis.[5] Some mountain ranges to the east of the capital were narrowly damaged due to heavy rains.[18] Railways were also damaged and washed out, which costs over $500,000.[19]

The government of Sorsogon reported heavy damage to the province, including destroyed houses and infrastructures, and washed out croplands.[18] The governor of the said province estimated the monetary damages to be at 300,000 ($150,000, 1929 USD).[18] After the communications were restored through the province, some residents said that almost 80% of the sugar crops were destroyed and many individuals were homeless.[18] The same situation in Sorsogon was also seen in Pampanga and other nearby provinces.[18]

The steamer "Mayon" sank off the coast of Luzon near the municipality of Pasacao in Camarines Sur, following the rough seas from the typhoon.[5] Out of the 28 crews and passengers on the boat, 21 were rescued and the others were rendered missing.[18] Newspapers at that time show that over 120 were dead, and 210 were listed as missing or unknown.[19][20] Incomplete total damages from the storm were estimated at $800,000 (1929 USD).[18][19]

The typhoon set a record in the country as the ninth-wettest tropical cyclone to hit the archipelago, which is both recorded at Virac, Catanduanes and Daet, Camarines Norte.[5] The station of the former reported nearly 880 millimetres (35 inches) of rain over September 1 and 2, while the latter at 595.9 millimetres (23.46 inches), respectively.[5] Infanta, Tayabas also recorded amounts of rain accumulations, but the numerical totals were unknown, mainly due to the rain gauge being swept away by the strong winds from the typhoon.[5]

Aftermath

edit

Following the aftermath of the typhoon, the emergency supplies donated by the American Red Cross were speeded to be given to the residents of the most damaged areas.[19][21] The business sectors were concerned, due to the areas that are still isolated for their deliveries.[19] In addition, Governor-General Dwight F. Davis gave an assurance to the Filipinos that the relief operations will be swift and fast, after the typhoon.[19]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Typhoon Deaths in Philippines Mount to 200; Thousands Homeless After Catastrophe". The New York Times. 1929-09-09. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  2. ^ a b "RATION WATER IN PHILIPPINE TYPHOON AREA". Visalia Times-Delta. 1929-09-05. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  3. ^ "デジタル台風:1929年8月31日(土)の天気図リスト". agora.ex.nii.ac.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  4. ^ "デジタル台風:1929年9月1日(日)の天気図リスト". agora.ex.nii.ac.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Coronas, José; Weather Bureau (September 1929). "Typhoons and Depressions – a Destructive Typhoon Over Southern and Central Luzon on September 2 and 3, 1929" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 57 (9). American Meteorological Society: 398–399. Bibcode:1929MWRv...57..398C. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1929)57<398b:TADDTO>2.0.CO;2. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "デジタル台風:1929年9月2日(月)の天気図リスト". agora.ex.nii.ac.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  7. ^ "デジタル台風:1929年9月4日(水)の天気図リスト". agora.ex.nii.ac.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  8. ^ "デジタル台風:1929年9月6日(金)の天気図リスト". agora.ex.nii.ac.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  9. ^ a b J. L. H. Paulhaus (1973). World Meteorological Organization Operational Hydrology Report No. 1: Manual For Estimation of Probable Maximum Precipitation. World Meteorological Organization. p. 178.
  10. ^ a b Nick Wiltgen (October 21, 2015). "Former Super Typhoon Koppu (Lando) Weakens to Remnant Low over Northern Philippines". The Weather Channel. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  11. ^ Guillermo Q. Tabios III; David S. Rojas Jr. Rainfall Duration-Frequency Curve for Ungaged Sites in the High Rainfall, Benguet Mountain Region in the Philippines (PDF) (Report). Kyoto University. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  12. ^ Leoncio A. Amadore, Ph.D. Socio-Economic Impacts of Extreme Climatic Events in the Philippines. Retrieved on February 25, 2007.
  13. ^ Padgett, Gary; Kevin Boyle; John Wallace; Huang Chunliang; Simon Clarke (October 26, 2006). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary June 2004". Australian Severe Weather Index. Jimmy Deguara. Retrieved January 13, 2007.
  14. ^ Steve Lang (May 7, 2009). "Hurricane Season 2009: Kujira (Western Pacific Ocean)". NASA. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  15. ^ Coronas, José (September 1929). "Typhoons and Depressions – a Destructive Typhoon Over Southern and Central Luzon on September 2 and 3, 1929" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 57 (9). American Meteorological Society: 398–399. Bibcode:1929MWRv...57..398C. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1929)57<398b:TADDTO>2.0.CO;2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 Feb 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  16. ^ Narciso O. Itoralba (December 1981). Annual Tropical Cyclone Report 1977. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. p. 65.
  17. ^ a b "PHILIPPINES TYPHOON DID LARGE DAMAGE". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 1929-09-10. p. 7. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g "TWENTY-ONE ARE RESCUED AT SEA". Altoona Mirror. 1929-09-04. p. 15. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "120 KNOWN DEAD IN PHILIPPINE TYPHOON SWEEP". Vidette-Messenger of Porter County. 1929-09-09. p. 4. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  20. ^ "Philippine Typhoon Toll Reaches 120". Portsmouth Daily Times. 1929-09-07. p. 9. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  21. ^ "AID SENT THOUSANDS HOMELESS IN LUZON; Death Toll in Philippine Typhoon Mounts to 200, With Damage Great. AIRPLANES HELP IN RELIEF Governor General Davis Reports Situation in Hand—Losses Expected to Exceed Those of November. Davis Reports Big Losses". The New York Times. 1929-09-10. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
edit