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Typhoon Ruth (1991)

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This article is about the 1991 typhoon. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Ruth and List of storms named Trining.
Typhoon Ruth (Trining)
Typhoon Ruth near peak intensity on October 26
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 19, 1991
ExtratropicalOctober 31, 1991
DissipatedNovember 3, 1991
Violent typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds215 km/h (130 mph)
Lowest pressure895 hPa (mbar); 26.43 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds270 km/h (165 mph)
Lowest pressure892 hPa (mbar); 26.34 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities82
Missing22
Damage$151 million (1991 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines, Taiwan
Part of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Ruth, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Trining,[1] was an intense, destructive, and deadly typhoon which impacted the Philippines during October 1991. The thirty-first depression, twenty-second tropical storm, fifteenth typhoon, third super typhoon, and first violent typhoon of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season, Ruth developed from a tropical disturbance between Chuuk and Pohnpei. Developing into a depression on October 19, Ruth steadily intensified. However, as it tracked west-northwestward across the Philippine Sea, it undergone rapid intensification, becoming a super typhoon intensity just a few days later. However, soon after, Ruth began weakening as it neared Northern Luzon. Tracking northwestward then west-southwestward due to the interaction between a mid-tropospheric trough and the subtropical ridge, Ruth made landfall in northern Luzon with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) before weakening into a tropical storm over land. Ruth later recurved south of Taiwan, later dissipating on October 31.

Impacting Philippines during October 1991, Ruth prompted the evacuation of 13,600 residents living near Mount Pinatubo due to fears of mudslides, while authorities issued Public Storm Warning Signals, including the first instance of PSWS #4. 82 fatalities and 55 injuries were attributed to the typhoon, with another 22 individuals being missing. Major cities like Baguio experienced heavy damage, with fatalities occurring due to falling trees and mudslides. The capital, Manila, suffered extensive power outages which affected over 6 million residents, while heavy rainfall led to catastrophic flooding and landslides, notably on Kennon Road. Overall, Typhoon Ruth inflicted approximately USD$150.7 million in damages. The typhoon's remnants later contributed to adverse weather conditions in the Ryukyu Islands. Elsewhere, offshore Taiwan, a cargo ship sank, causing the loss of 18 crew members. In response to the disaster, President Corazon Aquino declared a state of calamity in affected regions and initiated relief efforts.

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

The system that later became Typhoon Ruth originated from a tropical disturbance which was located between the islands of Chuuk State and Pohnpei on October. Steadily deepening throughout the next few days, convective activity associated with the disturbance slowly increased as it moved west-northwestward through the Caroline Islands.[2] As a result, at 12:00 UTC on October 19, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) designated this system as a tropical depression.[3] Further development prompted the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the tropical depression on 01:00 UTC the next day, with a Dvorak intensity estimate of 30 mph (45 km/h) alongside further consolidation of the depression's convection causing it to be designated as Tropical Depression 25W later that day.[2]

Intensifying steadily as it moved northwestward and passed between Guam and Ulithi,[2] the depression was named Ruth as it had produced 1-minute sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h).[4][2] However, the JMA noted that the depression did not developed into a tropical storm for six more hours.[3][4] Developing into a severe tropical storm at 06:00 UTC on October 22,[3] as Ruth tracked westwards, later that day, an eye formed on satellite imagery, signalling its intensification into a typhoon.[2][3] Soon after, the typhoon crossed into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to name it Trining.[1]

After tracking west-northwestwards across the Philippine Sea, Ruth underwent rapid intensification, becoming a super typhoon around 30 hours after its eye first appeared, later peaking with 1-minute sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) at 06:00 UTC on October 24.[4][2] Around that time, the JMA designated Ruth as a violent typhoon, noting it peaked with 10-minute sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h).[3] Steadily weakening soon after, as the typhoon approached northern Luzon, Ruth's eye expanded sixfold, having a diameter of 60 NM (110 km) as a result of this.[2] On October 25, an eastward-moving mid-tropospheric trough interacted with the subtropical ridge, causing the latter to temporarily weaken and Ruth to recurve northwestward.[2] As the subtropical ridge re-established itself a few hours later,[2] Ruth weakened back into a very strong typhoon and recurved west-southwestward.[2][3]

Soon after, on 12:00 UTC on October 27, Ruth made landfall in northern Luzon with 1-minute sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and 10-minute sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h),[4] making Ruth the strongest typhoon to strike the region that year.[2] A deeper mid-tropospheric trough picked up Ruth, making it recurve south of Taiwan,[2] causing it to exit the PAR on October 30.[1] Much weakening occurred as the Ruth tracked northeastward,[2] and on 00:00 UTC the next day, both the JTWC and JMA issued the final warning on Ruth.[3][2] Transforming into an extratropical low soon after,[3] the remnants of Ruth interacted with a frontal low prior to dissipating on October 3.[5][3]

Preparations and impact

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Philippines

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Due to concerns about potential mudslides, authorities evacuated 13.6 thousand people who were living less than 10 km (6.2 mi) from Mount Pinatubo to safer areas.[6] Philippine Airlines suspended domestic flights from October 27–28.[7] Public Storm Warning Signals were issued throughout Luzon, with PSWS #3 being hoisted for Cagayan, Batanes, and Isabela.[8] PAGASA tested its modified PSWS by issuing the first instance of PSWS #4 on October 27 due to the typhoon.[9] In Baguio, a family of three were killed after their house was crushed by a falling tree.[10] Another thirteen died elsewhere in the city due to either being trapped in their homes or being crushed by mudslides or fallen trees.[7] Over 100 houses were destroyed with many more having their roofs ripped off due to the typhoon's strong winds.[11]

Three people were injured due to falling trees, with heavy winds also causing the city to lose power.[12] A bus station and small hotel sank below ground level due to Ruth's heavy rainfall.[13] Ruth's winds destroyed over 30% of the tobacco crop, also destroying many of the barns where the crop was processed.[14] The PAGASA station in Basco, Batanes recorded 616.4 millimetres (24.3 in) of rain, which made Ruth (Trining) the wettest cyclone in the city until Typhoon Krathon (Julian) produced 727.8 millimetres (28.7 in) of rainfall on October 1, 2024.[15] In La Union, three people drowned. Elsewhere, in Abra and Ilocos Sur respectively, a person was hit by flying debris.[7] In Manila, a sailor died when he was smashed by huge waves into the wall of his tugboat. Many power lines were snapped due to Ruth, causing massive traffic jams and stalling factories for hours.[7] These caused the city to temporarily lose power, affecting over 6 million people.[16] Power supply in Manila was also interrupted while large areas of farmland were ruined by floods and landslides.[11]

Kennon Road was closed due to landslides caused by Ruth.[17] The province of Isabela received a maximum rainfall of 120.6 mm (4.75 in) on October 27 due to Ruth.[18] In Ilocos Sur, the campus and gymnasium of the Narvacan National Central High School was damaged by the typhoon, with its electricity and water supply destroyed in the process.[19] Heavy rain from Ruth caused lahars to form on the southwestern flank of Pinutabo, with one travelling down the Marella River and another being observed on the Santo Tomas River, causing the debris dam in Mapanuepe Lake to be swept away. More lahars were also seen in the Pasig-Potrero River, the river's highest since 1654.[20] In total, 82 people died, 55 were injured, and 22 went missing.[1] Later estimates revealed that in the Philippines, Ruth caused P3.072 billion (USD$120 million) in damage.[21][1]

Elsewhere

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The remnants of Ruth helped stimulate a frontal low which was stalling south of the Ryukyu Islands, primarily impacting the islands of Ishigaki and Miyako-jima. 18.44 million yen (USD$137 thousand) of damage occurred due to a forest road and ten farm roads sustaining some damages. Additionally, the system produced heavy rainfall, which peaked in Ohara, which received 152 mm (6.0 in), and Hateruma, which received 122 mm (4.8 in).[5][21]

On October 28, a spokesman for Taiwan's National Armed Forces noted that due to the typhoon, they had lost contact with the Panamanian-registered cargo ship Tung Leng south of Penghu, causing the 21 crewmen of the ship to be listed as missing.[7] Later reports stated that the freighter sank west of Taiwan, causing the deaths of 18 of the crewmen.[2] Elsewhere, the 14 Filipino and 4 Japanese sailors who were the crew of the Southern Cross were saved after the freighter sank due to heavy seas produced by the typhoon.[2][16] In total, enhanced by the winter monsoon, Ruth caused NT$650 million (USD$24.25 million) in agricultural and fishery damage.[11][22]

Atermath

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President Corazon Aquino declared a state of calamity for portions of Luzon.[23] The government spent P180 million (USD$6.55 million) to repair Kennon Road, which was later closed due to landslides in May 1992.[24][21] The Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, headed by American ambassador Frank G. Wisner, donated USD$25,000 to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to be used for relief supplies.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e National Disaster Coordinating Council; Office of Civil Defense Operations Center (December 2003). "Destructive Typhoons 1970-2003". Baseportal. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Typhoon Ruth (25W)". 1991 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report (PDF). Guam, Mariana Islands: Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 1992. pp. 132–135. Retrieved 2 October 2024. (text version)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i RSMC Best Track Data – 1990–1999 (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Super Typhoon RUTH (1991289N06156)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. National Centers for Environmental Information. 17 July 2024. doi:10.25921/82ty-9e16. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b Digital Typhoon: Weather Disaster Report (1991-918-05) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: KITAMOTO Asanobu. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  6. ^ UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (November 1991). Typhoon Ruth Information Reports 4–5 (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Typhoon leaves 22 dead in Philippines". UPI Archives. United Press International. 28 October 1991. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Typhoon threatens Philippines". No. 280. Bend, Oregon: The Bulletin. Associated Press. 27 October 1991. p. 3. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  9. ^ Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration; Department of Science and Technology (March 2018). DOST-PAGASA Annual Report On Philippine Tropical Cyclones (2017) (PDF). Quezon City, Philippines. p. 13. ISSN 2672-3190.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ "TYPHOON RUTH KILLS AT LEAST 15 IN PHILIPPINES". Deseret News. 28 October 1991. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Tropical Cyclones in 1991 (PDF). Hong Kong: Hong Kong Observatory. 1992. p. 19. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Typhoon Ruth kills three in Philippines". Palm Beach County, Florida: The News. 28 October 1991. p. 3. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  13. ^ a b United States Agency for International Development Office of U. S. Foreign Disaster Assistance. OFDA Annual Report. The Office. p. 48.
  14. ^ Agricultural Trade Highlights. Foreign Agricultural Service, United States Department of Agriculture. November 1991. p. 21. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  15. ^ Rojas, Ariel. "Wettest day in Batanes: Julian dumps more than two month's rain in 24 hours". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Guerrero, Eileen (28 October 1991). "Typhoon Ruth weakens after killing nine". Vol. 121, no. 253. Norwalk, Connecticut: The Hour. p. 9. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Baguio gets hit again". Vol. V, no. 257. Manila Standard. 28 October 1991. p. 38. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  18. ^ Department of Agriculture; Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural Research Center; W. V. Contillo (1992). Agro-Meteorological Data Monitoring Form (January-December 1991) (PDF). Ilagan, Philippines: Province of Isabela. p. 1. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  19. ^ Narvacan National Central High School (1993). "School History". Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  20. ^ McClelland, Lindsay, ed. (October 1991). "Report on Pinatubo (Philippines)". Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network. 16 (10). Smithsonian Institution. doi:10.5479/si.GVP.BGVN199110-273083. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "Foreign Currency Units per 1 US Dollar, 1950-2023" (PDF). Pacific Exchange Rate Service. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  22. ^ "Exchange Rates of the N.T. Dollar Against the U.S. Dollar". Taipei, Taiwan: Central Bank of the Republic of China. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  23. ^ Newman, Steve (3 November 1991). "Earthweek: A Diary Of The Planet". Schenectady, New York: The Daily Gazette. p. 15. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  24. ^ Logarta, Louis T. (3 June 1992). "Kennon road reopens Friday". Vol. VI, no. 112. Manila Standard. p. 32. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
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