The Wrath of Ketsana
The wrath of Ketsana in the Philippines may not have ended.
Torrential rainfall caused by TS Ketsana, which resulted in epic flooding throughout western Luzon, may lead to yet another deadly hazard: Earthquakes.
Millions of tons of floodwater, massive landslides and unprecedented volumes of mud avalanches flowing in western Luzon could lead to regional ‘climate-triggered’ earthquakes measuring about 4.5 Mw.
Ketsana, strengthened to typhoon force, is heading toward Vietnam
Typhoon Ketsana – Rainbow Enhancement satellite image – still image. To update and enlarged, click on the image. Source: NOAA/NHC/NWS
A handout photo released by the Philippine Air Force shows aerial view of flooded areas in Marikina City in northeastern Manila, Philippines, 27 September 2009. Up to 200 people have been killed with many reported missing as tropical storm Ketsana battered a wide area in Luzon, Philippines, dumping record rainfall (549 mm reported in one area) on the capital that caused the worst flooding in living memory. Thousands of people spent the night on the roofs of their submerged houses in Manila and surrounding provinces. The government weather bureau said the rainfall recorded in Manila was the city capital’s ‘greatest’ amount of rain since 1967. EPA/REY BRUNA/PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE/HO [Caption Monsters & Critics, edited by FEWW.] More Photos Posted Here!
The weather prospects don’t look too good for Vietnam, and China’s Hainan Island. Both areas seem to have an uneasy week ahead of them. However, the worst of Ketsana may yet strike Thailand and Myanmar.
Image from NASA TRMM – Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission
Related Links:
- Philippines: Worst Floods in Living Memory
- Philippines Worst Ever Flood Casualties Climb a Notch
- How Much Can a Single Natural Event Affect You?
- Floods leave 2.5% of Colombia’s population homeless
- Earth’s Human Induced Antiphase Nears Completion