Tropical Storm Kammuri (2008)

Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri (Julian)

Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri at peak intensity on August 6
Meteorological history
Formed	August 3, 2008
Dissipated	August 8, 2008
Severe tropical storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds	95 km/h (60 mph)
Lowest pressure	975 hPa (mbar); 28.79 inHg
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	95 km/h (60 mph)
Lowest pressure	985 hPa (mbar); 29.09 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	204 total
Damage	$200 million (2008 USD)
Areas affected	Philippines, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong
IBTrACS
Part of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season

Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Julian, was a weak but deadly tropical storm which impacted the Philippines, China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong in August 2008. The ninth named storm of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season, Kammuri developed as a tropical depression on August 4 north of Luzon. The next day, the depression intensified into a tropical storm, resulting in the Japan Meteorological Agency naming it Kammuri. The following day, Kammuri reached its peak intensity with sustained winds of 50 kn (93 km/h) before making landfall in Guangdong province, China. This would make Kammuri weaken into a tropical storm that evening, resulting in the JTWC issuing their last advisory on the system. Kammuri would later emerge in the Gulf of Tonkin the next day, making a second landfall over Guangxi province, China. After Kammuri made landfall, the JMA issued its final advisory on Kammuri.

Heavy rains from Kammuri in Vietnam led to the loss of at least 100 lives and destroyed over 300 homes while damaging over 3,500 others.^[1][2]

Disproportionate Impact: Though classified as a weak storm, Kammuri caused significant devastation. Landslides triggered by heavy rains were particularly deadly in Vietnam, where flash floods claimed over 160 lives.

Disrupted Transportation: While Kammuri didn't reach typhoon strength, it caused havoc in Hong Kong with strong crosswinds. These winds led to the cancellation or delay of over 380 flights at the busy Hong Kong International Airport.^[3]

Satellite Insights: Scientists use satellites to measure wind speed and rainfall during storms. Interestingly, data from the QuikSCAT satellite indicated limitations in measuring Kammuri's wind speeds due to the unusually heavy rain^[4]