Philippines, China - Tropical Cyclone RAI, update

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 05:40:37 +01:00

On 20 December at 0.00 UTC, Tropical Cyclone Rai was approximately 150km southeast of Hainan Island (southeastern China) with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h.
At least 208 people have died and 52 are still missing following its passage across Visayas and Mindanao Islands (The Philippines). The Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reports more than 630,000 displaced (of which 438,359 in 2,841 evacuation centres) and 1,805,000 affected across nine regions of central-southern Philippines. 54,783 houses were damaged, 20,102 damaged and 34,681 partially damaged.
RAI will continue over the northern South China Sea before dissipating on 21 December.
Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for Paracel Islands, Hainan Island, Guangdong, southern Fujian, eastern and western parts of Guangxi. A blue Typhoon warning is in effect for these southeastern Chinese regions.
DG ECHO's partners present in the most affected areas are already providing initial emergency assistance and additional emergency humanitarian financing will be mobilised in the coming hours.

Philippines - Tropical Cyclone RAI, update

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 04:46:55 +01:00

After passing north of Palau, tropical cyclone RAI (also known as "Odette") is moving westwards over the western Pacific Ocean. On 15 December, at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located about 650 km east from the eastern coast of Mindanao Island (southern Philippines), with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h.
RAI is forecast to intensify and could make landfall in the morning of 16 December in an area between North-Eastern Mindanao or Eastern Visayas. Local authorities are putting in place all the final preparedness measures.
According to UN OCHA, close to 16 million people live in the five regions of central and southern Philippines, which are expected to be most affected by the passage of RAI.
A tropical cyclone wind signal 2 (damaging winds expected within 24 hours) has been issued for areas in northern Mindanao, while a tropical cyclone wind signal 1 (strong winds expected within 36 hours) is in effect for southern Luzon, Visayas and the rest of Mindanao.
From 16 December, heavy to very heavy rain and strong winds are forecast over central and southern Philippines.