Tropical Storm Thelma

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flow. Additionally, squatters were allowed to live along the banks of the Anilao river in an area called Isle Verde. Roughly 2,500 people lived on this reclaimed land prior to the flood. The majority of fatalities took place along the banks of the river, with most drowning or being buried in mud or debris. A survivor described the initial event as a gigantic wave crashing over the banks and flooding the city. Isle Verde was virtually wiped out and out of the original 2,500 people that lived there, only 200 survived. It became known as the "Isle of Death" to survivors. Residents reported hundreds of bodies floating down rivers in the area. The force of the water and mud was enough to crack the walls of city hall. Nearly 3,000 homes were destroyed and more than 11,000 others were damaged. In the city alone, officials confirmed that 4,922 people were killed and another 1,857–3,000 were left missing. Additionally, 3,020 people were injured. The majority of those missing were likely swept out to sea by the flood and presumed dead. Two days after the storm, several bodies of those swept out to sea washed back ashore. Officials stated that the death toll could have been in the tens of thousands had the flood occurred at night rather than in the middle of the day.

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feature leaves the upper two-thirds of the mountain range unstable. In the two hours prior to the heaviest rains, the soil in the watershed became saturated, greatly lessening its effectiveness at absorbing further rains. As a result, the tremendous rains that occurred just prior to the flood, during which rainfall rates reached 167 mm (6.6 in) per hour, the land was unable to absorb a majority of the rain. Many landslides ranging from 1 to 3 m (3.3 to 9.8 ft) deep and 50 to 100 m (160 to 330 ft) wide occurred across the region. Altogether, rains were twice as heavy as the land could handle and the many landslips doubled the volume of fluids. At various points along rivers, temporary dams created by debris, namely trees, allowed a build up of water upstream. In some instances, waters reached a depth of 10 m (33 ft) before the dams collapsed. Normally, it takes water in the Anilao and Malbasag rivers roughly 3.6 and 5.6 days, respectively, to reach Ormoc City; however, it only took one hour during the flood.

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October 1992, it was stated that swift cooperation of all agencies from local to governmental was necessary to prevent tragedies of similar caliber in the future. It was urged that residents still living along the river banks be relocated to safer areas; however, by the time of the report, people had already begun repopulating the area. As a way of avoiding similar breaching of the riverbank, it was suggested that the two rivers be dredged and possibly re-channeled. Several points were also brought up about rehabilitating the landscape of the watershed: reforestation, contoured farming, and redesigning of plantations to better retain rainwater. Long-term rehabilitation of the watershed was deemed necessary in addition to repairing infrastructure in Ormoc.

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an "instantaneous backwater effect," causing massive volumes of water to over-top the riverbank. Around 11:00 a.m. local time on November 5, approximately 22,835 km (5,478 cu mi) of water inundated 25 km (9.7 sq mi) of the city. In just 15 minutes, the water rose by 2.1 m (7 ft) and further rose to 3.7 m (12 ft) within an hour. The flooding lasted for roughly three hours, leaving up to 0.6 m (2.0 ft) of sediment behind.

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and transportation. Water was supplied in limited quantities from Cebu. Medical and sanitation teams were deployed throughout the province, with many coming from surrounding areas. Residents searched through debris for lumber to construct makeshift coffins while others stacked bodies to be picked up by wheelbarrows or trucks. Officials had difficulty determining how to best deal with mass casualties as bodies lay across the Ormoc region. Many were found in the coastal

3089: 399: 330: 409: 748:, hospitals in the region returned to full capacity. By November 22, electricity and water had been 70 percent and 60 percent restored, respectively. The emergency phase of assistance ended on November 29 and coordination of disaster relief was returned to the Philippines. By that time, national aid to Ormoc reached $ 1.1 million, with more than half coming from a presidential grant. 419: 1054:

not to live there. A resettlement community was constructed months later, with plans to house 912 of the 2,668 families that needed to be moved from the area. Those that were not moved were left on Isle Verde despite orders not to stay there. Another resettlement project for 700 families was planned at the cost of $ 1 million.

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drainage systems. By November 10, four navy vessels were searching debris in the waters near Ormoc for bodies; 16 were recovered that day with more believed to be submerged in the bay. Roads surrounding the city were finally cleared by November 12; however, electricity remained out. With the deployment of medical teams from

571:; these winds caused no known damage. The main destructive force associated with the cyclone was the tremendous rainfall it produced. More than 150 mm (6 in) of rain across much of the Visayas, resulting in widespread flooding. In Tacloban, 140.2 mm (5.52 in) fell over a 24‑hour span. The heaviest rain occurred on 617: 1053:

Isle Verde, where approximately 2,300 people were killed, was declared uninhabitable by officials; however, residents still returned to the area due to a need for land. Eventually, signs that used to warn people not to stay on the islet were eventually taken down and people were no longer warned

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was able to land at a local airport but materials had to be moved by helicopter from there since roads were blocked. Relief efforts were also hampered by continuing rains and the rough terrain of the affected region. By November 11, approximately 8,300 families had been rescued and another

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were built into the river rather than on the banks, leading to faster debris damming. Lastly, just after the turn was the Cogon Bridge. This structure constricted the river by as much as 50 percent, enhancing the build up of water. The turn became the final trigger in the disaster as it created

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Ormoc City is located in a flood-prone area, with the Anilao and Malbasag rivers converging just north of the city and taking a 90-degree turn towards the bay. In addition to the natural dangers of the river, poorly designed structures on the river made conditions worse. The majority of construction

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in 2013 which killed at least 6,300 people. A total of 4,446 homes were destroyed while another 22,229 were damaged. Total losses amounted to $ 27.67 million. Initially, it took over 24 hours for word of the disaster to reach officials due to a crippled communication network

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were dug, with 700 bodies buried on November 8. Dump trucks were used to transport the dead to these sites as quickly as possible. As decomposition set in, residents stated that " putrid smell was unbearable." Even months after the storm, bodies were occasionally discovered, some found in

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Supply distribution centers were established in Ormoc, providing residents with food, water, and materials, by November 11. People were given a can of sardines and 1 kg (2.2 lb) of rice at these centers. These centers were only able to operate in daylight though due to a lack of fuel

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caused flooding of similar magnitude to Thelma; however, the waters were properly diverted to the sea. A sculpture and monument to the victims, designed by architect Maribeth Ebcas and artist Florence Cinco respectively, called "Gift of Life" was constructed on a 1.3 km (0.50 sq mi)

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The hardest hit region was Leyte, where more than 4,000 people died. A total of 4,446 homes were destroyed while another 22,229 were damaged. The majority of casualties and damage took place in Ormoc when a flash flood devastated the city. At least 81 people were killed outside

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The sheer magnitude of the flood event in the Anilao–Malbasag watershed made the region more vulnerable to future flood events. Hillsides became more unstable and the rivers themselves were clogged with debris, raising their water levels and widening their banks. In a post-disaster assessment in

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The flood struck the city with little to no warning, catching all those in its path off-guard. Numerous low-income families lived along the banks of the river, despite being such a high-risk area. Residential and commercial areas were also set up along reclaimed embankments that restricted river

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plantations. The majority of this land was improperly cultivated since the 1970s, making conditions worse than they normally would have been. The morphology of the mountains further contributed to the floods, with slopes as steep as 60 percent grade in some areas. In heavy rain events, this

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Hours before striking the Philippines on November 4, both agencies reported Thelma to have reached its peak intensity. The JTWC estimated the storm to have attained one-minute sustained winds of 85 km/h (55 mph) while the JMA estimated ten-minute sustained winds at 75 km/h

305:, located past where the Anilao and Malbasag rivers converge, suffered the brunt of the flood. In just three hours, the city was devastated with thousands of homes damaged or destroyed. A total of 4,922 people were killed in the city alone, with 2,300 perishing along the riverbank. 702:

as communications across Leyte were largely destroyed. By November 7, search and rescue operations were underway across Leyte and Negros Occidental. The first shipment of relief supplies, consisting of food rations, rice, sardines, and used clothing, was to be shipped from

608:. Losses from the storm amounted to $ 27.67 million; $ 18.94 million in Leyte and $ 8.73 million in Negros Occidental. A total of 598,454 people were affected while an estimated 43,000 people were left homeless by the storm across the Philippines. 312:. Throughout the country, at least 5,081 people died while another 1,941–3,084 were missing and presumed dead. This made Thelma the deadliest tropical cyclone in Philippine history, surpassing a storm in 1867 that killed 1,800, until later surpassed by 591:

rain gauge measured 580.5 mm (22.85 in) of precipitation, the highest in relation to the storm. Of this, approximately 500 mm (20 in) fell during a three-hour span around noon local time on November 5. Initially, residents believed that

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on November 8. Over the next couple of days the system weakened into an area of low pressure as it moved westwards, before it moved into the Andaman Sea during November 10. Once in the Andaman Sea, the systems remnants contributed to the formation of the

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there was a localized downpour that brought totals to 580.5 mm (22.85 in). With the majority of this falling in a three-hour span, an unprecedented flash flood took place on the island. Much of the land had been

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provided $ 34,783 and $ 25,000 in funds. The request for assistance came the following day, with the Philippines requesting food, water, medicine, emergency supplies, and heavy machinery. A team from the

466: 640:), is only 3.3 percent forested, with the remainder being used for agricultural and private purposes. According to a study in 1990, roughly 90 percent of the watershed had been converted into 663:"The waters kept rising. We had to place our children on top of the refrigerator. Still, the waters kept going up so we all had to climb to the roof. But perhaps we are bless. We all survived." 2241: 1010:

flew to Cebu carrying ready-to-eat meals. International funding reached $ 2.5 million on November 12, with grants of $ 1.05 million, $ 1 million, $ 188,000 from the

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prevented re-intensification and caused Thelma to weaken to a tropical depression by November 7. Now moving westward, the depression eventually made its final landfall over the

604:. The entire island of Leyte was left without power and many areas were isolated as roads were washed away. Another 78 people perished and 70 others were left missing in 457:. Following a satellite-derived surface wind estimate of 45 km/h (30 mph) later that day, the JTWC also began monitoring the low as a tropical depression. Initially, 2595: 484:, an event typical of late-season cyclones in the basin. On November 4, both the JTWC and JMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm, with the former assigning it as 321:

and several countries flowed into the country. A total of $ 5.8 million worth of grants and materials was provided collectively in the international relief effort.

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deployed aircraft to assist in rescue efforts. Relief efforts in Ormoc City were hampered by a lack of clear roads and fuel. Amateur radio reports stated that an

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While passing over the Philippines, Thelma's interaction with the high terrain of some of the islands resulted in torrential rainfall. Through the process of

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respectively. Additionally, the United States provided 55,000 packages of food rations. This total nearly doubled two days later with grants from the

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mountainside. This water flowed into the Anilao and Malbasag rivers, located north of Ormoc. The watershed, covering an area of 4,567

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800 million (US$ 20.6 million) construction project for flood mitigation was approved and later completed in 2001. That year,

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transported tremendous amounts of water to the island, triggering the floods. This notion was quickly dismissed as improbable, however.

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showed the system continuing on an arcing path out to sea; however, the system turned westward on November 2 and threatened the

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or poorly cultivated and was unable to absorb most of the rain, creating a large runoff. This water overwhelmed the Anilao–Malbasag

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along the river did not take flooding threats into account, and actually increased the threat of these events. Concrete walls and

3735: 3715: 2882: 2076: 245:, the system intensified into a tropical storm on November 4 as it approached the Philippines. Hours before moving over the 3014: 3002: 2846: 2822: 2435: 3249: 3111: 2834: 2666: 2304: 1062: 2966: 2894: 2462: 3134: 1259: 2507: 2327: 1837: 4181: 4171: 3092: 1019: 1249: 1945: 1443: 886: 881: 846: 2870: 2798: 2750: 2714: 2702: 2678: 317:

around Ormoc City. Within a few days, emergency supply centers were established and aid from various agencies under the

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plot of land. It was designed to also depict a need to respect nature and be a message of hope for residents in Ormoc.

4176: 2990: 2906: 2642: 1070: 4161: 442: 249:, Thelma attained its peak intensity with estimated ten-minute sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and a 241:, the depression that would become Thelma tracked generally westward. After turning southwestward in response to a 1465: 1046:. Ultimately, approximately $ 5.8 million was provided in international assistance from 13 nations, the 583:

winds to the southwest of Thelma converged over the island, further enhancing the precipitation. Near the city of

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Xiaotu Lei and Xiao Zhou (Shanghai Typhoon Institute of China Meteorological Administration) (February 2012).

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before weakening to a minimal tropical storm. Maintaining gale-force winds, the system eventually passed over

4105: 2762: 2070:"Reconnaissance Report: Flooding Resulting From Typhoon Uring In Ormoc City, Leyte Province, The Philippines" 1031: 579:, which brought large quantities of moisture into the atmosphere over a relatively small area. Additionally, 2040: 1082: 4186: 4100: 4004: 3893: 3873: 2858: 2564: 2409:(Report). National Disaster Coordinating Council (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center). 2376: 2349: 1124: 708: 567:

Striking the nation as a weak tropical storm, winds from Thelma gusted up to 95 km/h (60 mph) in

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of Linao, Camp Downes, and Bantigue as well as the Ormoc pier. In order to prevent the spread of disease,

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Tropical Storm Thelma devastated the city of Ormoc after torrential rains overwhelmed the Anilao–Malbasag

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This article is about the 1991 tropical storm in the Philippines. For other storms of the same name, see

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appealed for $ 418,000 to support 15,000 families for one month. A cash grant of $ 17,300 from the

3939: 3878: 2573: 1157: 1027: 861: 437:. Tracking generally west-northwestward, the system gradually became more defined. On October 31, 234: 2509: 1544: 698:

Initially, it took more than 24 hours for word of the level of devastation to reach officials in

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Report on Cyclonic Disturbances (Depressions and Tropical Cyclones) over North Indian Ocean in 1991

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conducted as study on flood control for Ormoc and other cities across the country. In 1998, an

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The death and missing columns includes deaths caused by Typhoon Fengshen (Frank), in the

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On November 7, despite no official appeal for international aid, the governments of

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on November 6 while retaining gale-force winds. Thelma ultimately succumbed to

4064: 4044: 4029: 3984: 3883: 3524: 3488: 3458: 3416: 3410: 3321: 3297: 3273: 3243: 3196: 2942: 2529: 2460: 1943: 1892:"The Ormoc City Tragedy of November 5, 1991: Chapter 6: Critical Social Conditions" 1889: 1835: 1777: 1632: 1493: 1306: 941: 558: 517: 434: 402: 333:

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

230: 3649: 1496:"The Ormoc City Tragedy of November 5, 1991: Chapter 2: Meteorological Conditions" 265:). Despite moving over land, the system weakened only slightly, emerging over the 4135: 4059: 3908: 3625: 3518: 3512: 3440: 3422: 3374: 3339: 3333: 3303: 3279: 3231: 3154: 2568: 1066: 994:, specializing with relief coordination and flood management, was also sent. The 719: 685: 576: 521: 285: 266: 109: 3103: 1129:

Other Philippine tropical cyclones that have claimed more than 1,000 lives

476:. Late on November 3, the depression turned west-southwestward towards the 4085: 4039: 4019: 3979: 3888: 3863: 3832: 3553: 3500: 3476: 3446: 3404: 3362: 3327: 3315: 3255: 1152: 1132: 1047: 999: 921: 779: 711: 625: 601: 318: 313: 298: 273:

and degraded to a tropical depression. On November 8, the depression made

1635:"The Ormoc City Tragedy of November 5, 1991 Chapter 1: The Ormoc City Tragedy" 549: 4155: 4095: 4024: 4014: 4009: 3964: 3913: 3565: 3506: 3452: 3434: 3428: 3398: 3380: 3345: 3285: 3267: 3261: 3160: 2930: 2108:

Cris Evert Lato (November 12, 2010). "Ormoc rises from flash flood tragedy".

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Other disasters that took place in the Philippines around the time of Thelma

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Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration

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associated with the system quickly increased, prompting the issuance of a

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Tropical Storm Thelma struck the Philippines just five months after the

1696:. Tacloban, Philippines. Associated Press. November 6, 1991. p. A1 1550:(Report). India Meteorological Department. January 1992. pp. 5–6. 740: 593: 525: 497: 481: 270: 254: 242: 105: 2214:. Manila, Philippines. Associated Press. November 10, 1991. p. 9A 2159:. Manila, Philippines. Associated Press. November 9, 1991. p. A3 1015: 995: 645: 433:

In late October 1991, a tropical disturbance developed near the

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Thelma near peak intensity, approaching the Philippines on November 4

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