On December 2, 2019, a typhoon brought violent winds and torrential rainfall to the central Philippines, causing thousands of people to evacuate low-lying and mudslide-prone areas. The storm known as Kammuri (or Tisoy in the Philippines) is expected to pass Manila, the country’s capital, on December 3.

The image above shows Kammuri approaching landfall on December 2, when the typhoon’s maximum wind speed reached 90 knots (105 miles/170 kilometers per hour). This true-color image was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA's Aqua satellite.

Kammuri rapidly intensified from a category 1 to category 4 storm in 24 hours from December 1-2 before making landfall at Gubat. At the time of landfall on December 2, peak winds were estimated to be in category 3 range. By December 4, the storm is expected to weaken and exit into the South China Sea.

The Philippines meteorological agency, PAGASA, warned of possible flooding and landslides in several coastal areas over the next few days. More than six inches (15 centimeters) of rainfall are expected across the region through December 4, particularly affecting the Bicol Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Central Luzon, which includes Manila. PAGASA forecasted a storm surge up to three meters (10 feet) for many coastal areas. Winds could also knock over many trees and blow off the roofs of houses.

Image Facts

Satellite: Aqua

Date Acquired: 12/2/2019

Resolutions: , ,

Bands Used: 1,4,3

Image Credit: MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC