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Tropical Storm Ruth (1980)

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Western Pacific tropical storm For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Ruth.
Severe Tropical Storm Ruth
Ruth near peak intensity on September 16
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 12, 1980
DissipatedSeptember 17, 1980
Severe tropical storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds100 km/h (65 mph)
Lowest pressure980 hPa (mbar); 28.94 inHg
Category 1-equivalent typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds120 km/h (75 mph)
Overall effects
Fatalities164 total
Injuries97
Areas affectedChina (primarily Hong Kong and Hainan), Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar
Part of the 1980 Pacific typhoon season

Severe Tropical Storm Ruth was a weak but destructive tropical storm which struck Vietnam during September 1980. Originating from a monsoon depression in the South China Sea, as it tracked westward, it intensified into a tropical depression on 12 September. Initially peaking with 10-minute sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), after it made landfallin Hainan, China on 15 September, it weakened into a minimal tropical storm. Despite that, the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin allowed Ruth to re-intensify, peaking as a high-end tropical storm according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and a minimal typhoon according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). Soon after, it made its second landfall in Thanh Hóa province, Vietnam. Rapidly weakening once inland, it dissipated over Bilauktaung Range on 18 September.

The worst cyclone to strike Thanh Hóa province in 30 years, Ruth caused almost 500,000 people to be homeless. It caused significant damage in Vietnam, causing severe crop damage in the region and killing 164 people.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key Saffir–Simpson scale   Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown Storm type circle Tropical cyclone square Subtropical cyclone triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On 11 September, a monsoon depression in the South China Sea which was embedded in the monsoon trough started developing. As it tracked quasi-stationary for the next two days, early on 12 September, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) designated the system as a tropical depression. Soon after, sypnotic data revealed that the system's circulation was developing, causing the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to follow the JMA in upgrading it into a depression early the next day. Later that day, the JTWC noted that the tropical depression had intensified into a tropical storm, naming it Ruth, with JMA following suit by upgrading Ruth early the next day. Accelerating northwestward, a few hours later, Ruth made landfall in Hainan Island, 40 nautical miles (74 km) southeast of Haikou, with 1-minute sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h).

Weakening, as Ruth entered the Gulf of Tonkin early on 15 September, landfall had took its toll on the system, causing it to weaken a minimal tropical storm. Despite that, the Gulf of Tonkin, which at the time, was as hot as 29 °C (84 °F), was a conducive environment for the weak cyclone to cross into, resulting in Ruth significantly intensifying. As a result, according to the JTWC, Ruth underwent rapid intensification, peaking as a minimal typhoon with 1-minute sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). The JMA, however, stated that Ruth had actually peaked with 10-minute sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) at that time. Just a few hours later, early on 16 September, Ruth made landfall south of Thanh Hóa, Vietnam at peak intensity. Rapidly weakening once inland, a few hours later, the JTWC stopped tracking Ruth, claiming it had dissipated. However, the JMA kept tracking a weakening Ruth until September 17. The remnants of Ruth later dissipated in Bilauktaung Range early the next day.

Preparations and impact

Hong Kong

In the evening of 12 September, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) hoisted a No. 1 Standby Signal as Ruth was around 210 nautical miles (390 km). The next day, this was upgraded into a No. 3 Strong Wind Signal the next day. However, late on 15 September, all signals were lowered. Ruth primarily caused light showers and intense gusts in the island.

Vietnam

In Vietnam, nearly half a million people were left homeless. The worst typhoon to strike Thanh Hoa province in 30 years, a 2022 report from GeoHazards stated that from 1970 to 2018, Ruth was the tropical cyclone which caused the most crop damage in the area. Tens of thousands of buildings were inundated, and a total of 164 people died due to Ruth. 97 people suffered injuries.

Elsewhere

As a weakening Ruth tracked into Eastern Thailand and Laos, primarily beneficial rainfall amounting to 100 mm (3.9 in) was seen in some places.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of Ruth, the Soviet Union bought around $50 million worth of wheat from Australia and Greece to serve as emergency aid for the Vietnamese government. Despite barring any aid to be sent to Vietnam due to the ongoing Cambodian–Vietnamese War, Australian authorities approved of this deal.

References

  1. ^ 1980 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report (PDF) (Report). Guam, Mariana Islands: Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 1981. p. 75-76. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  2. ^ RSMC Best Track Data – 1980–1989 (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  3. ^ Meteorological Results 1980 (PDF) (Report). Hong Kong: Hong Kong Observatory. 1981. p. 39. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-16. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  4. Yuen, Kai Wan; Switzer, Adam D; Ser Huay Lee, Janice (2024). "Statistics on Typhoon Intensity and Rice Damage in Vietnam and the Philippines". GeoHazards. 5. MDPI: 22–37. doi:10.3390/geohazards5010002.
  5. Britannica book of the year. 1981. [Events of 1980]. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1981. ISBN 978-0-85229-381-2. Archived from the original on 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  6. Daily Report: Asia & Pacific. The Service. 1980-10-09. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  7. Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin. Vol. 63. The Bureau. 1980-09-23. p. 14. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-08-18.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  8. The Age. The Age. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  9. The Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
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