Typhoon Noru, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Karding, was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that affected Indochina and the Philippines in late September 2022 — where it caused widespread agricultural damage. Noru was the sixteenth named storm and eighth typhoon, and third super typhoon of the 2022 Pacific typhoon season, Noru originated from a disturbance over the Philippine Sea, slowly tracking eastward until its development into a tropical depression, where it began to move westward.
Noru underwent rapid intensification as it approached Luzon, with 10-minute maximum sustained winds intensifying by 85 km/h (50 mph) in the span of 24 hours. Right before its first landfall, Noru reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of up to 175 km/h (110 mph) and as a PAGASA super typhoon. Noru made its first landfall over the Polillo Islands on September 25 at 17:30 PHT (09:30 UTC) as a Category 4. It then made its second landfall over Dingalan, Aurora five hours later as a high-end typhoon. It significantly weakened while crossing Luzon and emerged into the South China Sea nine hours later. Noru continued to re-intensify over the South China Sea, reaching winds of up to 155 km/h (100 mph) before making its third and final landfall in Da Nang, Vietnam. Tracking further westward, Noru brought heavy winds and rains to Thailand as a tropical depression and later dissipated on September 29.
Noru was the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in that year. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) of the Philippines reported at least ₱304 million (US$6.18 million) in infrastructural damages and ₱3.08 billion (US$62.5 million) in agricultural damages, totalling to ₱3.38 billion (US$68.7 million). 40 people were killed following the typhoon, another 5 were reported missing. Due to the damages and deaths it caused, the names Noru and Karding were retired after the season. They were respectively replaced by Hodu and Kiyapo.
Meteorological history
On September 21 at 00:00 UTC, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) began tracking a tropical depression at 22°N 141°E / 22°N 141°E, far east of the Philippine Sea. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also began tracking the disturbance later on as the system slowly moved eastwards, deeper into the Pacific Ocean. Analysis from the JTWC indicated that the system was in a favorable environment for development, with warm sea surface temperatures, low vertical wind shear, and medium radial outflow. The agency began issuing a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert for the disturbance shortly after. The system slowly consolidated as it moved eastward and was designated as Tropical Depression 18W by JTWC on September 22.
Around the same time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) noted the system's formation into a tropical depression. As a system formed within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it was immediately given the local name Karding, and the agency began releasing bulletins on the storm. Shortly after, the JMA also recognized the system as a tropical depression. After a lack of steering flow stalled the depression, it began tracking westward along a mid-level subtropical high, maintaining its intensity as it failed to consolidate further despite its favorable environment. Despite this, the JTWC and the PAGASA would upgrade the depression to a tropical storm at 09:00 UTC. The JMA would later upgrade the depression to a storm a day later, on September 23, and was subsequently named Noru. Up until this point, forecasts from all three agencies expected wind speeds of only up to 55 knots (100 km/h; 65 mph); the JTWC further cited a weak upper-level outflow and dry air as hindrances to rapid intensification.
On September 24, the JMA assessed the storm's development into a severe tropical storm. The PAGASA also upgraded the storm shortly after. Satellite imagery now showed a deep convective core with a central dense overcast and cloud tops reaching −82 °C (−116 °F), with animated infrared imagery showing bursts of convection along the circulation center. The environment around the storm were now very favorable for further development. Intensifying 20 knots (35 km/h; 25 mph) in the course of 12 hours, the JMA and the PAGASA upgraded the storm into a typhoon by 12:00 UTC; the JTWC following shortly after as Noru's eye began to form. Under very favorable conditions for development, Noru continued its trend of rapid intensification, reaching its peak intensity of 95 knots (175 km/h; 110 mph) 10-minute maximum sustained winds with a minimum central barometric pressure at 940 hectopascals (940 mbar; 28 inHg) by 00:00 UTC on September 25, a mere 230 kilometres (140 mi) east of Infanta, Quezon. Given its intensity, the PAGASA upgraded the system to its classification of super typhoon; the JTWC had also done the same three hours prior. At 17:30 PHT (09:30 UTC), the typhoon made its first landfall over the Polillo Islands in the municipality of Burdeos, Quezon. Following interaction with land over the Polillo Islands, the PAGASA downgraded the system to a high-end typhoon, just prior to its second landfall over Dingalan, Aurora at 20:20 PHT (12:20 UTC).
Now tracking westward over Central Luzon, Noru weakened further as it interacted with land and the rugged terrain of the Sierra Madre mountain range; the eye of the system later disappeared from multispectral satellite imaging. Noru emerged over the coastal waters of Zambales at 05:00 PHT, September 26 (21:00 UTC, September 25) as a Category 2-equivalent typhoon. As the typhoon re-entered the South China Sea, it was met with a neutral environment for development, but was able to re-consolidate and form a 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi) eye. Noru left the PAR at 20:00 PHT (12:00 UTC) and subsequently the PAGASA ceased issuing bulletins for the typhoon. Returning to favorable conditions over the South China Sea, Noru re-intensified to a Category 4-equivalent super typhoon on September 27, reaching 10-minute maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h (100 mph). Interaction with the land on the Vietnam coast and easterly wind shear slightly weakened the typhoon prior to landfall. At 21:00 UTC, the cyclone made landfall just south of Da Nang, Vietnam; the JTWC released its final warning on the storm shortly after. Noru rapidly weakened as it moved westward and further inland, weakening to a tropical storm by 06:00 UTC, September 28. The JMA downgraded the storm to a tropical depression later that same day, and ceased advisories for the storm. The storm tracked further westward as a tropical depression and dissipated on September 30, 06:00 UTC.
Preparations
Philippines
Highest Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal
The PAGASA began releasing bulletins on the storm on September 22. Initially expected to remain a tropical depression, the agency raised the possibility of raising tropical cyclone wind signals up to Signal No. 1. The PAGASA began raising Signal No. 1 as early as September 23; signals were first raised in Isabela and Aurora. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Section of the PAGASA (PAGASA-FFWS) also issued advisories in parts of Ifugao and Isabela which were next to the Magat River — the main spillway of the Magat Dam, which was nearby the storm's forecast track. The National Telecommunications Commission also instructed telecommunications companies to ensure sufficient resources in areas forecast to be affected by the storm.
On September 24, the Magat Dam began discharging excess water at a rate of 200 cubic centimetres (12 cu in) per second in preparation for the storm. The PAGASA also began raising Signal No. 2 in parts of Isabela, Aurora, and the Polillo Islands. Now expected to reach typhoon intensity, the agency warned of the possibility of raising Signal No. 4 as the storm neared. In Cagayan and Isabela, farmers harvested their crops early in preparation. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Cagayan Valley was put on red alert; bans on sailing, fishing, and the sale of liquor were imposed on the region. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the provincial disaster agency for Cagayan also secured funds for immediate response and prepared food packs and personnel throughout the region. The OCD in the Bicol region also went on blue alert, bracing for the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) was also put on red alert as it activated its Emergency Operations Center teams. The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also prepared for the impacts of the storm. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau also warned of landslides and flooding in parts of Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Cagayan. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also closed Kennon Road, a major yet hazardous road that connects La Union and Baguio in Benguet, citing public safety reasons. The DPWH also began preparing quick response teams consisting of maintenance personnel and equipment which will oversee the possibility of roads in affected areas. The Philippine Red Cross prepared its volunteers, which included operations staff and on-the-ground personnel. Telecommunications companies PLDT, Smart, and Globe prepared their free calling and charging stations for rapid deployment. On the evening of September 24 (PHT), Signal No. 3 was raised in the Polillo Islands and in parts of Camarines Norte.
In the morning of September 25 (PHT), following a sustained period of rapid intensification, the PAGASA assessed the storm's development into a super typhoon. Subsequently, the agency began raising Signal No. 4, starting with the Polillo Islands. A landfall as a super typhoon was not ruled out, with the agency expecting to raise its highest wind signal level, Signal No. 5, as the storm passes. Quezon, Bicol, and Baguio's local disaster agencies were placed on red alert. At 11:00 PHT (03:00 UTC), Signal No. 5 was raised in the Polillo Islands and the extreme northern portion of Quezon; the PAGASA would later raise the signal in parts of seven other provinces, while signal number 4 being raised at western Luzon.
Coastal areas were warned of storm surges in coastal areas. The Pampanga, Agno, Cagayan, and Pasig–Marikina river basins, including the Magat sub-basin, were also placed under a flood watch by the PAGASA-FFWS. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology also raised lahar advisories for Mount Pinatubo and the Taal Volcano. The cities and lone municipality of Metro Manila, with the exception of Makati, all independently declared the suspensions of classes on all levels for the following day, September 26 (a Monday). Classes for September 26 were also suspended by local government units on all levels in parts of Calabarzon and Central Luzon. Courts in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol were ordered closed by the Supreme Court on September 26. On the evening of September 25 (PHT), the Office of the President released a memorandum suspending work in government offices and classes in all levels of public schools in Metro Manila and in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, the Bicol Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region for September 26.
The United States Embassy in the Philippines and the Philippine Stock Exchange also declared work and operations suspensions for September 26. National Collegiate Athletic Association and Shakey's Super League games were canceled as the storm neared Metro Manila — under Signal No. 3 at the time; the Philippine Basketball Association also postponed its games slated for September 25 to 27. Muntinlupa, Quezon City, and the province of Quezon both began forced evacuations of their residents on September 25. The NDRRMC reported 91,169 people — 23,151 families — preemptively evacuated.
Vietnam
Local communities in the country called for residents to evacuate from risky areas. Da Nang and three other provinces. Da Nang authorities have also ordered people to stay indoors from 8 pm on September 27 until further notice. More than 100,000 households of 400,000 people were evacuated as Noru neared. Approximately 270,000 military personnel were placed on standby. Hundreds of flights were canceled. At least 327,937 people were evacuated across the provinces. A curfew was imposed and a curfew was effective, which started on September 29 in Quang Nam and Da Nang.
Impact
Philippines
Noru made multiple landfalls over the Philippine archipelago both as a super typhoon (based on the classification used by the PAGASA) and as a high-end typhoon. Its second landfall occurred in the evening of September 26, crossing Central Luzon over the course of the night until it emerged over Zambales at 04:00 PHT (20:00 UTC). As a storm in late September, Noru struck just before the harvesting season of rice, which is extensively produced in central and northern Luzon — both within the track of the storm.
As ports suspended travel on September 24, 85 roll-on/roll-off cargo ships and at least 742 passengers were reported stranded by the Philippine Coast Guard. By the following day, over 1,200 passengers, 297 roll-on/roll-off ships, and 41 other vessels were stranded in ports of the Calabarzon and Bicol regions. Boat trips in the Bicol region, Batangas, and Mindoro were suspended. 84 flights, 12 international and 72 domestic, were cancelled due to inclement weather. 67 ports were rendered non-operational in areas of Quezon and Batangas. LRT Line 1, LRT Line 2, MRT Line 3, and the PNR Metro Commuter Line all suspended trips for September 25, with the PNR also suspending trips for the 26th. The NDRRMC reported at least 2,737 passengers, 260 rolling cargoes, and 37 other vehicles stranded in parts of southern Luzon.