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Browse All : Images of Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Philippines from 2006 and 1997

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Heavy Rain in Southeastern C …
Title Heavy Rain in Southeastern China
Description Southeastern China was hit hard in May and early June 2006, when heavy rains and flooding killed dozens of people. The problems began when Typhoon Chanchu made landfall along the central southeastern coastline on May 18, 2006. The storm, which had earlier passed through the central Philippines, dumped several inches of rain and battered southern coastal regions leaving 11 people dead. Later in the month and into June, heavy monsoon rains hit the area, leaving many more dead or missing, and forcing numerous evacuations as a result of flooding, say news reports. The provinces of Fujian, Guizhou, and Guangdong were the hardest hit. This image shows rainfall totals over southeastern China as seen by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (known as TRMM [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ]), from May 16 to June 1, 2006. The highest rainfall totals for the period (shown in red) are on the order of 500 millimeters (20 inches) and occur near the coast in the area around Hong Kong in the province of Guangdong. A widespread area of 450-millimeter (8-inch) rainfall totals (green) covers most of southeastern China, with locally heavier amounts of a foot or more (yellow and orange areas). TRMM was placed into service in November 1997. From its low-earth orbit, TRMM has been measuring rainfall over the global Tropics using a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors. The TRMM-based, near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (MPA) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center monitors rainfall over the global Tropics. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Image produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
Super Typhoon Durian
Title Super Typhoon Durian
Description In what turned out to be a deadly combination, torrential rains brought on by the passage of Super Typhoon Durian and volcanic ash leftover from recent eruptions on the Mayon Volcano resulted in massive mudslides in the Central Philippines. As of December 4, 2006, at least 425 people had been confirmed dead, and nearly 600 more were still missing. Super Typhoon Durian (known as "Reming" in the Philippines) made landfall in the Central Philippines on November 30, 2006, with reported wind gusts of up to 140 mph. The center crossed over Albay province in the southern part of the main northern Philippines island, Luzon. Though winds were strong, it was the accompanying heavy rainfall that turned out to be a disaster for the region. Rainfall totals for November 24 through December 1, 2006, are shown in this image. Rainfall totals exceeding 200 millimeters (about 8 inches) are shown in red and extend from the western Philippine Sea across southern sections of Luzon, Catanduanes Island (northwesternmost island shown), and northern Samar. Locally up to 460 mm (about 18 inches) of rain were reported in Albay province. Some of the heaviest rain fell on the 2,462-meter-high Mayon volcano, the Philippines' most active volcano. An eruption earlier in the year left the steep slopes covered with a large amount of volcanic ash. It was this combination of ash and the torrential rains from Durian that led to the massive mudslides that buried entire villages in the region. The rainfall totals shown here are from the near-real-time, Multi- satellite Precipitation Analysis (MPA), which is based in part on measurements from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ]). TRMM was placed into low-Earth orbit in November 1997 to measure rainfall over the global Tropics using a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Image produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC)
Super Typhoon Durian
Title Super Typhoon Durian
Description The northern Philippines island Luzon suffered yet another direct hit from a super typhoon this season when Super Typhoon Durian (known as "Reming" in the Philippines) made landfall on the southeastern part of the island on November 30, 2006. The Philippine weather service recorded sustained winds of 190 kilometers per hour (118 mph) with gusts to 225 kph (140 mph) when the storm came ashore. Luzon was hit hard in 2006. Super Typhoon Xangsane also hit the southern part of the island on September 27. Super Typhoon Cimaron struck northern Luzon on the evening of October 29, and Typhoon Chebi hit northern Luzon on November 11. The 24th tropical depression of the Western Pacific season formed early on the morning of November 26 (local time) south of Guam and became a minimal tropical storm, named Durian, later that same day. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ]) satellite captured this image of Durian on November 29, by which time the storm had reached super typhoon status, with winds of 240 kilometers per hour (150 miles per hour). The image was taken at 6:50 a.m. local time (22:50 UTC) as Durian was bearing down on Catanduanes Island in the central Philippines. The image shows rain intensity in different parts of the storm system. Rain rates in the center of the swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar, while those in the outer portion are from the TRMM Microwave Imager. The rain rates are overlaid on infrared data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner. Although the center of the storm does not fall within the swath observed by the Precipitation Radar in this image, it is clear from the Microwave Imager portion of the image that Durian had a well-defined eye surrounded by a symmetric eyewall (green ring). The extreme cyclonic winds in intense storms tend to smear out eyewall features. Soon after this image was taken Durians northern eyewall passed over Virac on the southern tip of Catanduanes Island. The center then made landfall along the southeastern portion of Luzon in the province of Albay before continuing westward through the central Philippines. The TRMM satellite was placed into its low-earth orbit in November 1997. Its primary mission is to measure rainfall from space, however, it has also served as a valuable platform for monitoring tropical cyclones, especially over remote parts of the open ocean. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
Tropical Storm Bilis
Title Tropical Storm Bilis
Description Although the center of Tropical Storm Bilis (known as Florita in the Philippines) passed well to the north of Luzon, it has been blamed for at least 14 fatalities on the island as a result of flash floods, mudslides, and wind damage. The storm formed as a tropical depression on July 8, 2006, south of Guam. The depression intensified into a tropical storm the following day as it crossed the central Philippine Sea and assumed a more northwesterly track. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite observed Bilis on July 10, 2006, at 21:37 UTC, as the storm was passing through the Philippine Sea well northeast of the islands. The image shows the horizontal distribution of rain intensity within the storm as seen from the TRMM satellite. Rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar, while rain rates in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager. The rain rates are overlaid on infrared data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner. In this image, Bilis appears as a highly asymmetrical storm, with the vast majority of the rain occurring south of the center in a rather large band (broad green and blue area). The actual center itself was rather poorly defined. Near the time of this image, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center estimated the maximum sustained winds to be 92 kilometers per hour (58 miles per hour), the equivalent of a moderate tropical storm. As Bilis continued to track to the northwest, this band of rain and its associated circulation came ashore over Luzon in the northern Philippines. Although the storm's center remained well off the coast, the interaction of heavy rain and mountainous terrain led to flash flooding and mudslides. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (known as TRMM) was placed into service in November of 1997. From its low-earth orbit, TRMM has been providing valuable images and information on storm systems around the Tropics using a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors, including the first precipitation radar in space. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
Flooding in the Southern Phi …
Title Flooding in the Southern Philippines
Description Heavy rains in February 2006 triggered a large mudslide in southern Leyte in the central Philippines, burying the entire village of Guinsaugon. As of February 17, 2006, there were 23 confirmed fatalities, but hundreds more were feared dead as 1,500 people were reported missing. This image shows rainfall data from the area collected by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. The TRMM-based, near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (MPA) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center monitors rainfall over the global tropics. The image above shows MPA rainfall totals for February 4-17, 2006, for the Philippine Islands. The highest amounts recorded by the MPA for this period are about 30 inches (darkest red area) and are located over the northern tip of Mindanao. However, rainfall totals over southern Leyte do approach 500 millimeters (20 inches, small orange area north of the larger red area), with totals of 250 millimeters (green areas) over the surrounding area. The northern tip of Mindanao is separated from southern Leyte by the narrow Surigao Strait. The excessive rains may be linked to the ongoing La Niña. [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17180 ] In December, cooler ocean waters began to emerge in the central equatorial Pacific signaling the onset of a La Niña. La Niña is associated with above-normal sea surface temperatures in the Western Pacific and stronger trade winds. This pattern can significantly enhance rainfall across the Western Pacific region. The TRMM satellite was launched into service in November 1997. It measures rainfall over the global Tropics using both passive and active sensors, including the first and only precipitation radar in space. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Image produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
Typhoon Chanchu
Title Typhoon Chanchu
Description Typhoon Chanchu (known as Caloy in the Philippines) brought strong winds and heavy rains to the central Philippines as the storm passed through the mid-section of the country. This image shows rainfall totals around the Philippines from May 8-12, 2006, based on data collected by the Topical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) as Typhoon Chanchu approached and crossed the island chain. In particular, it shows the changing patterns of light and heavy rain as the storm system approached the islands. The storm's most dramatically heavy rain fell offshore, when the storm was particularly intense, but rains decreased as the typhoon crossed the islands. The image was compiled from the TRMM-based, near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (MPA) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, which monitors rainfall over the global tropics. Though not a particularly powerful storm, Chanchu was responsible for 8 reported deaths as of May 14, 2006, six of which occurred when a boat capsized while traveling between islands, according to news reports. Chanchu became a tropical depression on May 9, 2006, east of the main southern island, Mindanao. The system then organized into a tropical storm and moved west-northwest before making landfall on the island of Samar in the central Philippines on the evening of May 11 as a Category 1 typhoon. Chanchu regained strength, briefly becoming a Category 2 storm, as it passed between the central islands before hitting Mindoro Island and weakening somewhat. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Since its launch in 1997, TRMM has provided valuable information on tropical storms. With an active radar and a passive microwave sensor, TRMM can peer into the core of these storms and relay details on storm structure and location to forecasters. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
Typhoon Chanchu
Title Typhoon Chanchu
Description Typhoon Chanchu (known as Caloy in the Philippines) brought strong winds and heavy rains to the central Philippines as the storm passed through the mid-section of the country. This image shows rainfall totals around the Philippines from May 8-12, 2006, based on data collected by the Topical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) as Typhoon Chanchu approached and crossed the island chain. In particular, it shows the changing patterns of light and heavy rain as the storm system approached the islands. The storm's most dramatically heavy rain fell offshore, when the storm was particularly intense, but rains decreased as the typhoon crossed the islands. The image was compiled from the TRMM-based, near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (MPA) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, which monitors rainfall over the global tropics. Though not a particularly powerful storm, Chanchu was responsible for 8 reported deaths as of May 14, 2006, six of which occurred when a boat capsized while traveling between islands, according to news reports. Chanchu became a tropical depression on May 9, 2006, east of the main southern island, Mindanao. The system then organized into a tropical storm and moved west-northwest before making landfall on the island of Samar in the central Philippines on the evening of May 11 as a Category 1 typhoon. Chanchu regained strength, briefly becoming a Category 2 storm, as it passed between the central islands before hitting Mindoro Island and weakening somewhat. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Since its launch in 1997, TRMM has provided valuable information on tropical storms. With an active radar and a passive microwave sensor, TRMM can peer into the core of these storms and relay details on storm structure and location to forecasters. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
Typhoon Chanchu
Title Typhoon Chanchu
Description Typhoon Chanchu (known as Caloy in the Philippines) brought strong winds and heavy rains to the central Philippines as the storm passed through the mid-section of the country. Though not a particularly powerful storm, Chanchu was responsible for 8 reported deaths as of May 14, 2006, six of which occurred when a boat capsized while traveling between islands, according to news reports. Chanchu became a tropical depression on May 9, 2006, east of Mindanao, the largest island in the southern Philippines. The system then organized into a tropical storm and moved west-northwest before making landfall on the island of Samar in the central Philippines on the evening of May 11, as a Category 1 typhoon. Chanchu regained strength, briefly becoming a Category 2 storm, as it passed between the central islands before hitting Mindoro Island and weakening somewhat. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite captured this observation of Chanchu as the storm was passing through the central Philippines on May 11, 2006, at 19:49 UTC (May 12, 3:49 a.m. local time). This visualization shows rain intensity as measured from the TRMM satellite. Rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar, while rain rates in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager. The rain rates are overlaid on infrared data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner. TRMM revealed that Chanchu has a large, partial eye-wall west of its center (blue-green arc) and is very asymmetric, with most of the rain also west of the center of circulation (blue and green areas). Areas of intense rain (around 50 millimeters per hour) are shown in this image as the darker reds. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Since its launch in 1997, TRMM has provided valuable information on tropical storms. With an active radar and a passive microwave sensor, TRMM can peer into the core of these storms and relay details on storm structure and location to forecasters. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
Typhoon Kaemi
Title Typhoon Kaemi
Description ) flew over the storm. At the time, Kaemi was over the central Philippine Sea. These images show the horizontal distribution of rain intensity within the storm and provide important clues about Kaemi's structure. In the top image, taken on July 21, TRMM reveals that Kaemi had a well-defined closed eye (center circular region) indicative of the kind of well-developed circulation that is commonly associated with a mature tropical cyclone. The image also shows that the rain field is very asymmetrical, with the bulk of the rain, including essentially all of the intense rain (shown by the darker reds), occurring in the southern half of storm. After the top image was taken on July 21, Kaemi continued to track northwest. Although the storm's center passed well to the north of the main island of Luzon in the northern Philippines, it did bring significant rains to the island. As Kaemi exited the Philippine Sea, it took a direct path over southern Taiwan, crossing over the island on the evening of July 24. By the time it struck, Kaemi had weakened to a Category 1 system. On July 25, Kaemi passed over the narrow Taiwan Straight between Taiwan and China before making landfall that afternoon (local time) near Jinjiang in Fujian Province on China's southeast coast. TRMM captured the lower image at 3:40 p.m. local time (7:40 UTC), just as Kaemi was making landfall on the coast of China. In this image, the center is poorly defined, with no closed eye visible. By this time, Kaemi had weakened to a tropical storm, with sustained winds estimated at just 93 km/hr (58 mph or 90 knots). There was, however, a broad area of light (blue) to moderate (green) rain wrapped around the northern and eastern side of the storm over mainland China. This rain eventually triggered flooding and mudslides in the region. Launched in November of 1997, TRMM was designed to measure rainfall over the global Tropics using a suite of active and passive sensors, including the world's first space-borne precipitation radar. TRMM has also proven to be extremely valuable for monitoring tropical cyclones, especially over remote parts of the open ocean. In these images, rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar, while those in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager. The rain rates are overlaid on infrared data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. NASA images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC)., Following a path similar to recent Tropical Storm Bilis, [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=13711 ] which triggered extensive inland flooding and landslides and has been blamed for more than 600 deaths in China, Typhoon Kaemi passed over Taiwan before striking the southeast coast of China. Kaemi means "ant" in Korean. The storm started out as a tropical depression on July 18, 2006, several hundred miles south-southeast of Guam, tracked generally to the northwest, and entered the Philippine Sea as a weak tropical storm on July 19. Over the next two days, Kaemi intensified into a Category 2 typhoon in the central Philippine Sea, with sustained winds estimated at 167 kilometers per hour (104 miles per hour or 90 knots) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [ https://metoc.npmoc.navy.mil//jtwc.html ] While the typhoon was at Category 2 status on July 21, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ]
Typhoon Kaemi
Title Typhoon Kaemi
Description ) flew over the storm. At the time, Kaemi was over the central Philippine Sea. These images show the horizontal distribution of rain intensity within the storm and provide important clues about Kaemi's structure. In the top image, taken on July 21, TRMM reveals that Kaemi had a well-defined closed eye (center circular region) indicative of the kind of well-developed circulation that is commonly associated with a mature tropical cyclone. The image also shows that the rain field is very asymmetrical, with the bulk of the rain, including essentially all of the intense rain (shown by the darker reds), occurring in the southern half of storm. After the top image was taken on July 21, Kaemi continued to track northwest. Although the storm's center passed well to the north of the main island of Luzon in the northern Philippines, it did bring significant rains to the island. As Kaemi exited the Philippine Sea, it took a direct path over southern Taiwan, crossing over the island on the evening of July 24. By the time it struck, Kaemi had weakened to a Category 1 system. On July 25, Kaemi passed over the narrow Taiwan Straight between Taiwan and China before making landfall that afternoon (local time) near Jinjiang in Fujian Province on China's southeast coast. TRMM captured the lower image at 3:40 p.m. local time (7:40 UTC), just as Kaemi was making landfall on the coast of China. In this image, the center is poorly defined, with no closed eye visible. By this time, Kaemi had weakened to a tropical storm, with sustained winds estimated at just 93 km/hr (58 mph or 90 knots). There was, however, a broad area of light (blue) to moderate (green) rain wrapped around the northern and eastern side of the storm over mainland China. This rain eventually triggered flooding and mudslides in the region. Launched in November of 1997, TRMM was designed to measure rainfall over the global Tropics using a suite of active and passive sensors, including the world's first space-borne precipitation radar. TRMM has also proven to be extremely valuable for monitoring tropical cyclones, especially over remote parts of the open ocean. In these images, rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar, while those in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager. The rain rates are overlaid on infrared data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. NASA images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC)., Following a path similar to recent Tropical Storm Bilis, [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=13711 ] which triggered extensive inland flooding and landslides and has been blamed for more than 600 deaths in China, Typhoon Kaemi passed over Taiwan before striking the southeast coast of China. Kaemi means "ant" in Korean. The storm started out as a tropical depression on July 18, 2006, several hundred miles south-southeast of Guam, tracked generally to the northwest, and entered the Philippine Sea as a weak tropical storm on July 19. Over the next two days, Kaemi intensified into a Category 2 typhoon in the central Philippine Sea, with sustained winds estimated at 167 kilometers per hour (104 miles per hour or 90 knots) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [ https://metoc.npmoc.navy.mil//jtwc.html ] While the typhoon was at Category 2 status on July 21, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ]
Typhoon Shanshan
Title Typhoon Shanshan
Description Shanshan (known as Luis in the Philippines) began as a tropical depression (area of low air pressure) on September 10, 2006, in the central Philippine Sea. Within 36 hours, the depression organized into a Category 1 [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] typhoon and was given the name "Shanshan." According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, [ https://metoc.npmoc.navy.mil/jtwc.html ] Shanshan then tracked to the north, running roughly parallel to the China coast. By September 15, the storm had built to Category 4 strength, with winds of 220 kilometers per hour (138 miles per hour). Shanshan then moved off to the northeast towards southern Japan, weakening as it did so. Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on western Kyushu as a Category 1 storm. Heavy rains from the typhoon triggered mudslides, and the severe weather was responsible for 9 deaths and hundreds of injuries, said news reports. This image, taken by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] satellite, shows Typhoon Shanshan at 5:31 p.m. (08:31 UTC) on September 17, 2006, just as the storm was making landfall on Kyushu. Specifically, the image shows how much rain the storm was producing (measured in millimeters per hour) as it made landfall. An area of intense rain (darker red) is located near the center, over the western tip of Kyushu. A broad area of light (blue) to moderate (green) rain extends out ahead of the storm. The TRMM satellite was placed into service in November 1997. From its low-earth orbit, TRMM provides valuable images and information on storm systems around the tropics using a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors, including the first precipitation radar in space. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
Typhoon Xangsane
Title Typhoon Xangsane
Description Typhoon Xangsane (known as Milenyo in the Philippines) brought strong winds and heavy rain to the central Philippines after making landfall on the island of Samar. The storm was reported to have had winds gusting to 150 kilometers per hour (93 miles per hour) as it made landfall. Xangsane began as a tropical depression (area of low air pressure) on September 25, 2006, in the western Philippine Sea just 320 kilometers (200 miles) east of the central islands. As Xangsane headed west-northwest towards the central Philippines, the storm system at first grew only slowly, remaining a tropical storm at the start of the day on September 26. However, as it was nearing Samar, Xangsane began to intensify rapidly into a Category 2 [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] typhoon. This image of Typhoon Xangsane shows the storm system at 1:36 p.m. (21:36 UTC) on September 26, as observed by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] satellite. It shows Xangsane bearing down on northern Samar in the central Philippines. Xangsane had a complete eyewall (ring of clouds around the eye), with moderate to heavy rain (green ring with areas of red) surrounded by spiral rain bands. These features show the well-developed circulation typical of a mature tropical cyclone. At the time of these images, Xangsane was estimated to have had sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph), making it a minimal Category 1 typhoon. However, the storm was in the process of intensifying, and it became a Category 2 storm just hours later as it drew closer to Samar. The TRMM satellite was placed into service in November 1997. From its low-earth orbit, TRMM provides valuable images and information on storm systems around the tropics using a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors, including the first precipitation radar in space. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Image produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
Typhoon Xangsane
Title Typhoon Xangsane
Description After forming just east of the central Philippines, Tropical Storm Xangsane ("elephant" in Lao) intensified into a typhoon and battered the central Philippines with high winds and heavy rains on September 27 and 28, 2006. At least 110 people were reported killed, with many still missing as a result of flooding and mudslides brought on by the storm as of early October. After passing through the Philippines and out into the South China Sea, Xangsane headed for the central coast of Vietnam, where it made landfall on October 1. The storm caused widespread damage and flooding in Vietnam, and at least 59 people were reported to have died there as a result. This image shows rainfall totals estimated in part from data collected by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM). TRMM data are part of the near-real-time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (MPA) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, which monitors rainfall over the global Tropics. MPA rainfall totals for Southeast Asia for September 25-October 2, 2006, are shown in the image. Storm symbols mark Xangsane's path. Rainfall totals of over a foot are shown over Samar in the east-central Philippines (red areas). A broad area of 4- to 8-inch totals (green) stretches from the central Philippines to the coast of Vietnam. TRMM was placed into service in November of 1997. From its low-earth orbit, TRMM has been measuring rainfall over the global Tropics using a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Image produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC). Caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
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