TYPHOON CHANCHU HITS THE PHILIPPINES

UNCLAS MANILA 002069 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC EINV CACS EAGR AGMT ABLD SENV RP SUBJECT: TYPHOON CHANCHU HITS THE PHILIPPINES Ref: A) Manila 2025 B) Manila 2050 ¶1. On May 12, tropical storm Chanchu made landfall in the Philippines in Northern Samar southeast of Manila and as of May 15 has gone out to sea west of Luzon. On May 14, Chanchu intensified into a typhoon while crossing east-to- west across the central Philippines leaving in its wake 37 dead, 15 injured, and 10 missing, in addition to flooding and property damage. Most fatalities are linked to a motor ferry that sank in stormy seas near Masbate Island, amid allegations of negligence by the skipper. Typhoon Chanchu affected 10,962 families in 7 cities in the central Philippine regions of Northern Samar and Southern Luzon. Batangas declared a "state of calamity," which will allow local authorities to draw on government disaster assistance funds. Persistent brown outs due to downed power lines have limited communications to other affected provinces, which are expected to make similar declarations of calamity. ¶2. The National Disaster Coordination Council (NDCC) indicated that no international aid is needed at this time. Post has also been in contact with the RP National Red Cross, which confirmed that national and local authorities and local relief groups have the capacity to respond to the storm. The USG last provided typhoon-related assistance to the Philippines in December 2004, after three strong and consecutive typhoons caused major damage. On average, the RP is struck by 19 typhoons per year. Typhoon Chanchu struck unusually early, as typhoon season normally begins in June. ¶3. The Embassy's Emergency Action Committee met on May 11 and 12 to prepare for the storm based on early projections that it would cross Manila (reftels). However, Chanchu ultimately followed a west-southwest course and passed to the south of the city. Metro Manila residents experienced heavy rain and localized power outages. Embassy operations were not affected by the storm and no damage was incurred on Embassy property. KENNEY