Typhoon Utor

Animated enhanced infrared satellite loop of Typhoon Utor from peak intensity to landfall in the Philippines

Ahead of Utor affecting the Philippines, PAGASA issued various tropical cyclone signals for Luzon and Visayas, including signal 3 for the provinces of Aurora and Isabela and signal 1 for Metro Manila. [18] As Utor approached Central Luzon, a Malacanang Palace spokesperson called that local government to prepare and evacuate residents living near slopes, mountains and sea.[19] Thirty-two provinces in Luzon and Manila had been placed under signal warnings.[20] In Isabela, 67 families were evacuated before landfall. Under the anticipation of a direct hit, the local Pangasinan government placed the entire province on red alert. On August 11, the governor announced the suspension of classes from pre-school to tertiary level. Government and private offices were also suspended. Rescue equipment and rubber boats had also been placed in the disaster risk area of the province.[21] In the said regions, the government advised all to not engage in water sports or rough seas due to the anticipated rough seas.[22]

Utor made its landfall in Casiguran, Aurora at 3 AM (local time) on August 12. Power lines and telecommunications went down and many houses were destroyed.[23] In Nueva Vizcaya, heavy rainfall had been recorded. Some residents in the said province were forced to evacuate due to flooding. Moreover, the Magat River in the province reached the critical level, resulting in the partial opening of four gates in a dam. Electricity was also out in the province. One man died in Baguio City after he had been buried alive after a mudslide hit his home. In Isabela, more than 100 families had been affected by Utor. About 200 million pesos in agriculture was blamed on Utor in Isabela alone. Around 1,000 residents in the central Bicol region spent the night in shelters, and 23 fishermen who were out at sea failed to return home in four towns in Catanduanes province.[24] Some cars in North Luzon Expressway used hazard signals as roads were nearly impossible to see. Intense rainfall throughout the day had been recorded in Zambales, which created flash flooding in low-lying areas. The major river in the province then overflowed, flooding homes. The flooding was expected to rise as high tide was expected in the morning.[25] At least 700 passengers were stranded in the ports of Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Samar. Additionally, 10 flights had also been canceled as Utor brought intense rainfall in many parts of Luzon.[26]

Throughout the Philippines, 11 people were killed while four others were listed as missing. A total of 407,493 people were affected by the typhoon, roughly a third of whom were displaced from their homes. Significant infrastructural damage took place with 2,592 homes destroyed and 21,197 more damaged. Losses from Utor amounted to ₱1.58 billion (US$36.4 million), the majority resulting from agricultural damage.[27]

Typhoon Utor over Hong Kong on 14 August

The Chinese bulk carrier Trans Summer sank some 45 nautical miles (83 km; 52 mi) southwest of Hong Kong after having been caught in the typhoon. Twenty-one members of the crew were saved.[28]

Widespread damage took place in Guangdong Province where at least four people were killed and four others were listed missing. An estimated 1.09 million people were affected, 161,500 of whom were temporarily relocated due to the threat of flooding. Typhoon-force winds caused a belt factory in Dongguan to collapse, killing 1 person and injuring 17 others.[29] Losses across the province amounted to ¥8.63 billion (US$1.41 billion).[30] 18 people were killed in Guangxi Province while more than 1.3 million people were affected. Losses in the province reached ¥698 million (US$114 million).[31] Prolonged heavy rains in Hunan Province triggered widespread flooding that caused substantial damage. At least five people were killed and five others were listed missing while 964,600 people were affected by the storm.[32]

Following the storm, prices of vegetables were raised by an average of one percent in Guangzhou, while the price of leafy vegetables were raised by as much as 15 percent.[29] A total of 86 people were killed in Mainland China, while total damages were amounted to be ¥21.5 billion (US$3.51 billion).[33]