TCAR - Typhoon Committee

164
ESCAP/WMO
Typhoon Committee Annual Review 2009
2.2. NARRATIVE REPORTS OF INDIVIDUAL TROPICAL CYCLONES WHICH
AFFECTED MEMBERS OF THE TYPHOON COMMITTEE
2.2.1
KUJIRA (0901)
1 May – 13 May
KUJIRA (0901) formed as a tropical depression off the south-eastern coast of Luzon at 12 UTC on 1 May
and moved generally northeastwards. It intensified into a tropical storm at 18 UTC on 2 May and then further
intensified into a severe tropical storm at 12 UTC on 3 May. Keeping its northeastwards track, it was upgraded
into a typhoon at 00 UTC the next day. Kujira attained the peak strength with maximum sustained wind of 157
km/h and central pressure of 940 hPa at 18 UTC on 4 May. It weakened into a severe tropical storm on at 00
UTC 7 May and then a tropical storm at 06 UTC on 7 May. Kujira became an extra-tropical cyclone at 18 UTC
the same day over the sea east of Japan.
While in the area proximate to the coast of Luzon, it was reported that Kujira caused the death of 28 people, one
missing and 5 injured. About 84,000 families were affected and 2300 houses were destroyed and the economic
damage worth about 27 million US dollars.