Typhoon Kalmaegi (2008)

{{storm path|Kalmaegi 2008 track.png}}

Early on July 13, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), began to issue full advisories on a tropical depression, which was located to the east of the Philippines.{{cite web|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/typh_wstorm.html|title=Tropical Cyclone Information|publisher=Japan Meteorological Agency|accessdate=2008-07-18}} Later that day PAGASA allocated the name Helen to the depression, followed the next day by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) designating the number 08W. Early on July 15, both the JTWC, and the JMA upgraded the depression to tropical storm status, with RSMC Tokyo assigning the name "Kalmaegi" to the storm, which was submitted by North Korea and is Korean for seagull. Early on the 17th, Kalmaegi began rapidly intensifying; JMA was the first agency to upgrade it into a typhoon.{{Cite web |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtpq20.rjtd..txt |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-08-09 |archive-date=2024-05-23 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240523073457/https://www.webcitation.org/5ZMsTdFev?url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtpq20.rjtd..txt |url-status=dead }} JTWC followed a few hours later.ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/GuamStuff/2008071703-WTPN.PGTW{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Finally, PAGASA upgraded Kalmaegi (Helen) into a typhoon on later that day.{{Cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/dynasmon/PAGASA.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-08-09 |archive-date=2008-05-07 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080507214145/http://www.geocities.com/dynasmon/PAGASA.html |url-status=dead }}

Typhoon Kalmaegi, which was downgraded to tropical storm status by Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau while still east of the country, made landfall at Ilan County in northeast Taiwan in the evening of July 17 at 19:40 local time (13:40 UTC) and emerged into the Taiwan Strait at 7:20 in the morning local time (01:20 UTC) on July 18.{{cite web|author=United Daily News|url=http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/080718/2/13h71.html|title=Center, South, Heavy Rains Until Tomorrow (中南部超大豪雨 下到明天)|accessdate=2008-06-18}} From Taiwan, the typhoon, now downgraded to a tropical storm, turned toward southeast China. In Xiapu County of Fujian Province, the tropical storm made landfall at 17:50 local time (0950 UTC), with winds of about 90 miles per hour.{{cite news|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/typhoon-kalmaegi-hits-china-leaves-13-killed-in-taiwan-lead_10073258.html|title=Typhoon Kalmaegi hits China, leaves 13 killed in Taiwan (Lead)|publisher=Thaindian|accessdate=2008-07-18|date=2008-07-18}} Early on July 19, the JTWC issued its final advisory on Kalmaegi and downgraded it to a tropical depression. However, the JMA continued to issue advisories and maintained Kalmaegi as a tropical storm as it moved to the Yellow Sea. Late the next day, the JMA downgraded Kalmaegi to a low (extratropical cyclone) as it moved inland over North Korea.

Image:TSKalmaegiTaichung01.JPG from Typhoon Kalmaegi.]]

PAGASA issued Public Storm Warning Signals for provinces across Northern Luzon from July 14 till the 17th. Initially, PAGASA issued Storm Signal Number 1 over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes Group of Islands and Calayan Group of Islands.https://www.webcitation.org/5ZJTvHEgU?url=http://www.geocities.com/dynasmon/PAGASA_Extra.html But as the storm tracked nearer to Northern Luzon, more and more are issued Signals 1, 2 and 3. By the afternoon of the 16th Philippine Time, only Batanes was left under Signal Number one. PAGASA issued their last advisory on Helen (Kalmaegi) on 2100 UTC 17 July (5 a.m. 18 July PST).{{Cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/dynasmon/PAGASA.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-08-09 |archive-date=2008-05-07 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080507214145/http://www.geocities.com/dynasmon/PAGASA.html |url-status=dead }}

Several flights in and out of Taiwan were either delayed or cancelled due to the typhoon. All evening classes for the day the storm made landfall were closed however, all classes were scheduled to resume the next day.{{cite news|agency= Reuters|url=http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=165296|title=Weakened Typhoon Hits China|publisher=China.org|accessdate=2009-01-11|date=2008-07-19}}

Officials in Fujian Province and Zhejiang Province ordered about 61,000 ships to return to port and evacuated an estimated 360,000 people from low-lying areas.{{cite news|url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/photos/2008-07/19/content_16035162.htm|title=360,000 evacuated as Kalmaegi nears|publisher=Javno.com|accessdate=2009-01-11|date=2008-07-18}}

In the Philippines, it passed over Northern Luzon (mostly affecting Ilocos and Cagayan Valley), where it killed two people and injured another. The first fatality occurred after a man drove off the edge of a cliff due to poor visibility. The second was linked to a snake bite following the storm. In all, Kalmaegi (Helen) affected at least 31,129 people throughout 146 barangays in three provinces. Property damages amounted to ₱ 5.6 million. The storm also hit 82 villages (all in Northern Luzon) and caused around ₱1.3 million worth of damage to agriculture.{{cite web|publisher=National Disaster Coordinating Council|author=Anthony T. Golez Jr.|date=July 18, 2008|accessdate=February 16, 2009|title=NDCC Update: Severe Weather Final Bulletin on Typhoon "Helen"|url=http://210.185.184.53/ndccWeb/images/ndccWeb/ndcc_advisory/TC_Helan/sitrep4_ty_helen.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530001728/http://210.185.184.53/ndccWeb/images/ndccWeb/ndcc_advisory/TC_Helan/sitrep4_ty_helen.pdf|archive-date=May 30, 2011|url-status=dead}} Meanwhile, the storm intensified the southwest monsoon, thus causing torrential rains over the rest of Luzon.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107152/Helen-closes-in-on-Cagayan-six-areas-under-Signal-No-2|title='Helen' closes in on Cagayan, six areas under Signal No. 2|publisher=GMA|date=2008-07-15|accessdate=2008-07-19}} The resulting rains thus caused suspension of classes in parts of Metro Manila.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107300/Manila-suspends-afternoon-college-classes|title = Manila suspends afternoon college classes}}

Image:TSKalmaegiTaichung03.JPG

At least 19 lost their lives due to the storm and six were reported as missing.{{cite news|url=http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=361&sec=1|title=19 killed by Typhoon Kalmaegi in Taiwan|publisher=Asia News Network|accessdate=2008-07-27|date=2008-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927071331/http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=361&sec=1|archive-date=2008-09-27|url-status=dead}} Tainan County (now part of Tainan City) in southern Taiwan reported more than {{convert|1100|mm|in}} of rainfall in some mountain regions.{{cite web|author=China Post|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national%20news/2008/07/18/166133/Tropical%2Dstorm.htm|title=Tropical storm floods southern Taiwan, 4 killed, 5 missing|accessdate=2008-06-18}} An estimated {{convert|600|mm|in}} of rain fell within seven hours, causing several drainage systems to overflow.{{cite web|author=Sun Yunlong|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|date=July 19, 2008|accessdate=February 16, 2009|title=Death toll from typhoon Kalmaegi rises to 16 in Taiwan|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/19/content_8573842.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722111249/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/19/content_8573842.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 22, 2008}} Local media reported that an estimate 115,000 people in Taiwan, primarily in Tainan, Nantou County, and Taichung County (now part of Taichung City) lost power during the storm.{{cite web|author=Now News|url=http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/080718/17/13h9d.html|title=115,000 lost power due to Kalmaegi, 81,000 already restored.(卡玫基颱風全台11.5萬戶停電 已修復8.1萬戶修復率70%)|accessdate=2008-06-18}} The storm caused NT$ 300 million (US$15.1 million) worth of damage,{{cite web|author=Reliefweb|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/KKAA-7GQ2ZP?OpenDocument&rc=3&emid=TC-2008-000109-TWN|title=Tropical storm leaves 18 dead in Taiwan|accessdate=2009-01-10}} and destroyed about 5,100 hectares of orchards and crops.{{cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=128935|title=Typhoon hits China after killing 13 in Taiwan|publisher=Bangkok Post|accessdate=2008-07-18|date=2008-07-18}} Agricultural losses amounted to $300 million (USD).{{cite news|url=https://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/asia/b-taiwan/2008/07/24/166892/Vegetable-prices.htm|title=Vegetable prices to remain steady: COA|publisher=China Post|accessdate=2009-01-13|date=2008-07-24}}

In Xiapu County of Fujian Province and in neighboring Zhejiang Province, 360,000 residents left coastal and low-lying homes to escape the storm. Schools and many businesses remained closed, and the storm was expected to travel northwest.

The remnants of Kalmaegi produced heavy rains over the Korean Peninsula, peaking at {{convert|237.5|mm|in}} in Seoul. Rainfall rates were recorded up to {{convert|52.5|mm|in}} per hour at times, caused water to overflow at several of the major dams along the Han, Nakdong, and Geum Rivers. One dam, the Paldang-Dam had to discharge water at a rate of {{convert|4,817|m3|ft3|abbr=on}} per second. Eight levees were breached, with a total length of {{convert|105|m|ft|abbr=on}}, due to rising rivers, flooding 93 homes and {{convert|87.58|ha|acre|abbr=off|lk=on}} of farmland. Rains also caused landslide which covered an area of {{convert|0.6|ha|acre|abbr=off}} and washed out a small bridge. Four people were killed, another was listed as missing, and a total of 271 were affected by the storm.{{cite news |author= |year=2008 |title=Review of the 2008 Typhoon Season Annual publications: Republic of Korea |url=http://www.typhooncommittee.org/41st/docs/TC41_NatlRpt_ROK.doc |accessdate=2009-01-11 |publisher=Korea Meteorological Agency}}

Yonaguni, lying at the end of the Ryukyu Islands near Taiwan, experienced strong winds gusting up to {{convert|98|km/h|mi/h}}.{{cite news|author=ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, 41st Session|url=http://www.typhooncommittee.org/41st/docs/item%206/Japan.pdf|title=Review of the 2008 Typhoon Season Annual publications: Japan|publisher=Japan Meteorological Agency|accessdate=2009-01-11|year=2008}}

After moving through the Sea of Japan, the remnants of Kalmaegi brought significant rainfall and strong winds to parts of eastern Russia. Winds were reported to be gusting up to {{convert|85|km/h|mi/h}} in Primorsky Krai and southern Khabarovsk Krai. Several rivers in Primorsky were reportedly near flood stage as the storm passed through. Offshore, Several ships were stranded during the storm and sent out distress signals.{{cite web|author=Правда.Ру|publisher=pravda|date=July 22, 2008|accessdate=July 17, 2010|script-title=ru:В Приморском крае передана ЧС|url=http://www.pravda.ru/news/276787.html|language=ru}}

Relief goods, worth ₱138,744 were sent to affected areas within region one.

Government officials in Taiwan enacted a large rescue operation involving over 60,000 civilian and government rescue workers.{{cite news|author=AD Kaushik|url=http://www.nidm.gov.in/News%20in%20PDF/2008/July/19-07-08.pdf|title=July 19, 2009 Disaster Update|publisher=nidm.org|accessdate=2009-01-11|date=2008-07-22}} Following the severe flooding in Taiwan, officials in Mainland China were willing to send fresh vegetables whenever needed.{{cite news|author=Amber Yao|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/22/content_8745146.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023095714/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/22/content_8745146.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 23, 2012|title=Mainland willing to send fresh vegetables to typhoon-hit Taiwan|publisher=Xinhua News|accessdate=2009-01-11|date=2008-07-22}}

The name Kalmaegi was submitted to the World Meteorological Organisation's Typhoon Committee by North Korea and was one of the original names submitted for use from January 1, 2000. The name Kalmaegi is Korean for a seagull which is a type of bird which lives by the sea.

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}

• Other tropical cyclones named Kalmaegi
• Other tropical cyclones named Helen
• Typhoon Chan-hom (2015)
• Typhoon Fitow
• Typhoon Sepat
• Typhoon Saola (2012)
• Typhoon Nesat (2017)

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Commons category|Typhoon Kalmaegi (2008)}}

• [http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/digital-typhoon/summary/wnp/s/200807.html.en JMA General Information] of Typhoon Kalmaegi (0807) from Digital Typhoon
• [http://www.data.jma.go.jp/fcd/yoho/data/typhoon/T0807.pdf JMA Best Track Data] of Typhoon Kalmaegi (0807) {{in lang|ja}}
• [http://www.data.jma.go.jp/fcd/yoho/data/typhoon/T0807.png JMA Best Track Data (Graphics)] of Typhoon Kalmaegi (0807)
• [http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/besttrack.html JMA Best Track Data (Text)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120829033409/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2008/2008s-bwp/bwp082008.txt JTWC Best Track Data] of Typhoon 08W (Kalmaegi)
• [https://archive.today/20140812040506/http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tcdat/tc08/WPAC/08W.KALMAEGI/ 08W.KALMAEGI] from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

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Kalmaegi