Typhoon Haiyan — LLMpedia

Typhoon Haiyan
source
Basin	WPac
Year	2013
Formdate	November 3, 2013
Dissipated	November 11, 2013
1-minute sustained	195
Pressure	895
Areas	Palau, Philippines, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia
Fatalities	6,300–10,000+
Damages	US$2.98 billion

Contents

Typhoon Haiyan Typhoon Haiyan was an extremely powerful tropical cyclone that struck parts of Southeast Asia in November 2013, producing catastrophic destruction across the central Philippines, affecting Palau, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The storm is noted for having one of the highest wind speeds ever recorded at landfall and precipitated large-scale humanitarian operations involving organizations such as the United Nations, International Committee of the Red Cross, United States Agency for International Development, and multiple national militaries. Scientific assessment, emergency management review, and post-disaster reconstruction in affected areas prompted investigations by institutions including the World Meteorological Organization, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Philippine agencies like the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Meteorological history

The system originated from an area of disturbed weather monitored by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and the Japan Meteorological Agency northeast of Palau in early November 2013, later consolidating into a tropical depression. Rapid intensification occurred as the cyclone traversed warm waters influenced by the North Pacific Ocean and the Western Pacific Warm Pool, with favorable conditions described by researchers at the University of Waikato, Peking University, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Satellite analyses by agencies including NASA and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites documented concentric eyewall formation and an exceptionally small, well-defined eye. Peak sustained winds were estimated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and corroborated by post-storm reanalysis from the World Meteorological Organization; minimum central pressure estimates varied among research groups, with contributions from the American Meteorological Society and the Royal Meteorological Society debating ranking criteria. The cyclone made multiple landfalls across the central islands of the archipelago, with the most destructive impact recorded on the islands of Leyte, Samar, and Panay, before weakening over the South China Sea and affecting Hainan and mainland China.

Early warnings were issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and translated into public advisories coordinated with local governments such as the Leyte Provincial Government, Samar provincial government, and the City of Tacloban administration. International meteorological bulletins from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and Japan Meteorological Agency informed preparedness activities conducted by organizations including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, World Health Organization, and Médecins Sans Frontières. Evacuation orders and mass sheltering mobilizations engaged non-governmental organizations like the Philippine Red Cross and faith-based groups such as Caritas Internationalis and The Salvation Army. Shipping and aviation advisories affected carriers like Philippine Airlines and regional ports managed by the Philippine Ports Authority. Despite warnings, challenges in local communications and the scale of storm surge increased risk to communities along low-lying coasts and estuaries.

The storm produced a devastating storm surge and extreme winds that destroyed infrastructure, homes, and hospitals across cities and municipalities including Tacloban, Ormoc, Guiuan, and Lopez. Damage assessments conducted by teams from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs documented widespread displacement, destruction of livelihood assets, and losses to agriculture and fisheries. Casualty estimates were compiled by the Philippine National Police, Department of Health (Philippines), and international bodies; reported fatalities and missing persons varied, with long-term mortality and indirect deaths analyzed by researchers at Harvard University and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Critical infrastructure, including power grids managed by National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and telecommunications networks operated by companies like PLDT and Globe Telecom, suffered extensive outages, complicating rescue and relief operations.

Immediate response involved the mobilization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, units from the United States Pacific Command, and assets from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and Australian Defence Force, which provided airlift, naval, and medical support. International organizations such as the United Nations Children's Fund, World Food Programme, and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies coordinated distributions of food, water, shelter, and medical supplies. Non-governmental organizations including Oxfam, Save the Children, and CARE International executed community-level interventions focusing on water, sanitation, and emergency shelter. Logistics hubs established at Tacloban Airport and regional ports received donations from bilateral donors including the United States Agency for International Development and the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office.

Reconstruction and recovery efforts involved national agencies such as the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways (Philippines), alongside multilateral lenders like the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank providing loans and grants. Programs addressed housing reconstruction, coastal protection, and livelihood restoration, with technical assistance from institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme and UN-Habitat. Legal and policy debates concerning land tenure, relocation, and resilience influenced legislation discussed in the Philippine Congress and initiatives supported by the International Finance Corporation. Academic studies at universities including University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and University of Santo Tomas examined social vulnerability, climate adaptation, and urban planning lessons.

Bilateral and multilateral donors—including United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the European Union—pledged humanitarian and reconstruction assistance channeled through agencies like the United States Agency for International Development, Department for International Development (UK), and Japan International Cooperation Agency. International fundraising campaigns by charities such as Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children, and global corporate contributions from entities like Google and Microsoft supplemented government aid. Tracking and auditing of aid flows were performed by organizations including the International Aid Transparency Initiative and independent auditors engaged by recipient institutions to ensure accountability and effectiveness in recovery programming.

Category:2013 Pacific typhoon season Category:Typhoons in the Philippines