 Greg at peak intensity near the island ofBorneo on December 25 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | December 24, 1996 |
| Remnant low | December 26, 1996 |
| Dissipated | December 27, 1996 |
| Tropical storm | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 85 km/h (50 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 1002hPa (mbar); 29.59 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 238 total |
| Missing | 102 |
| Damage | $280 million |
| Areas affected | Malaysia,Philippines,North Sulawesi |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the1996 Pacific typhoon season | |
Tropical Depression Greg was aPacifictropical cyclone that formed at an unusually low latitude in theSouth China Sea, and became the worst tropical cyclone to affectMalaysia since reliable records began. The last storm of the1996 Pacific typhoon season, Greg formed on December 24 on the same twomonsoon troughs that also spawnedTropical Storm Fern in the basin and cyclonesOphelia,Phil andFergus in theSouthern Hemisphere. The storm headed an east-southeastward track and despite an unfavorable environment for intensification, Greg strengthened to a tropical storm onChristmas Day. It then reached its peak intensity shortly, with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (55 mph) and a minimumbarometric pressure of 1002hPa before makinglandfall along the northern portion of theMalaysian state ofSabah between 1700 and 1800UTC (3:00 - 4:00 amMYT) on December 26. After crossing the state, it weakened to a tropical depression before passing throughTawi-Tawi in thePhilippines on the next day. Wind shear further degraded the system until it dissipated on December 27 on theCelebes Sea, south ofMindanao.
Greg was one of only two systems to made landfall inMalaysia, beforeVamei in 2001 did so,nearly five years later. The storm brought extensive and catastrophic damages across Sabah, causing over $280 million in damage (1996USD) and 238 deaths, which mainly are foreigners and tourists. Another 102 individuals were also rendered missing. Flash floods and widespread mudslides were also recorded throughout the state, destroying houses and overflowing rivers, respectively.
Following the massive aftermath of the storm, the state government of Sabah immediately started to rehabilitate the areas that sustained damages, and relief operations were speeded. The government also allocated over $2 million for the operation process, while a relief fund collected $1 million for the affected evacuees.Mass graves were also started for the unidentifiable victims of the storm. Some authorities described Greg as one of the worst disasters in the history of Malaysia.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionIn the middle of December, two low-latitudemonsoon troughs were located in the extreme westernPacific Ocean, well associated with a strongwesterly wind burst that would spawn the system that would beTropical Storm Fern and itself in the Northern Hemisphere.[1] The second trough which was located in theSouthern Hemisphere, will also generate cloudiness in theAustralian region that would also spawn three systems in the basin: namelyOphelia,Phil andFergus.[1] A persistent area of convection was first mentioned by the JTWC on December 21 at 2100UTC in their Significant Tropical Weather Advisory over the low latitudes of theSouth China Sea, well west ofBrunei.[1] Two days later, the organization of the system became well-defined, as stated in their advisories on December 23 and in reports by weather stations inEast Malaysia.[1] In addition, the system's convection improved within the next 24 hours due to the active wind burst.[1] At 04:00 UTC, the JTWC issued aTropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system, depicting a rapid convective organization being detected in the microwave and visiblesatellite images.[1] Upper-level divergence on the system also began to be seen in water-vapor imagery, also a sign oftropical cyclogenesis.[1] This was followed by the first warning by the agency on the system as Tropical Depression 43W, roughly two hours later.[1] Despite wind shear starting to impact the developing system, the depression intensified to a tropical storm on December 25 at 0000 UTC and was namedGreg.[1] In post-tropical analysis, Greg may have likely intensified withgale-force winds, six hours later.[1] Combined effects ofwind shear and the prevailingnortheast monsoon made Greg slowly intensify while taking a southeastward track, before turning to the east, approaching northwesternSabah, a state ofMalaysia.[1][2] The forward motion of Greg also increased, before reaching its peak intensity of 85 km/h (55 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure reading of 1002 hPa (29.59 inHg) that time.[1] It held this intensity until it madelandfall along the town ofKudat between 1700 and 1800 UTC that day (03:00 and 04:00 am the next day,MYT) before hitting the major city ofSandakan, also that time.[1] These landfalls weakened Greg to a tropical depression as it enteredSulu Sea before passing throughTawi-Tawi on December 26.[1] It then entered theCelebes Sea on the afternoon of the same day before degenerating to a remnant low, shortly after as it encountered an unfavorable environment, namely coldersea surface temperatures.[1] At 0600 UTC on December 27, the JTWC issued their final warning on the system as it dissipated to the south ofMindanao, ending the very active1996 Pacific typhoon season.[1][2]
TheJoint Typhoon Warning Center tracked and named the system; however, theJapan Meteorological Agency did not included Greg in their annual best track.[3]
Tropical cyclones makinglandfall inMalaysia are extremely rare.[4] Only Greg andVamei of 2001 had only significant effects in the country, since reliable records began.[1][4]
The east-southeastward movement of Greg is also unusual.[1] Anytropical cyclone that forms and moves through theSouth China Sea will typically progress through theIndochina, became quasi-stationary, or move southwestward and dissipate immediately.[1] This is due to the well-established northeasterly wind flow from theNorthern Hemisphere.[1] As Greg's predecessor formed in thewaters nearVietnam, an unusually large wind pattern started to dominate the area where the system is and two low-level westerly winds existed from the north and south of the equator: namely theNorthern andSouthern Hemispheres.[1][5] With these factors blocking the northeast monsoon to the east, the strong pattern of winds from the south helped Greg to take an eastward track.[1][5] Adding on, the large circulation of developingFern to its northeast were hypothesized as another reason for the system's east-southeastward motion as it started to dissipate.[1]
Hours prior to Greg moving ashore, theMalaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued subsequent warnings of heavy rainfall and strong winds to the territory ofLabuan and westernSabah, all inMalaysia.[6] Some fishermen were also advised to stay away from rough seas caused by the storm.[6] Over 5,600 individuals were evacuated due to the storm; however, some persons decided to stay in their houses.[7][8]
| Place | Affected individuals | Affected residences | Reported deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu | 8,730 | 4,717 | 4 |
| Tuaran | 8,136 | 1,697 | 5 |
| Papar | 772 | 45 | 2 |
| Penampang | 324 | 40 | – |
| Keningau | 5,040 | 500 | 227 |
| Sipitang | 131 | 25 | – |
| Tenom | 3,500 | 26 | – |
| Telupid | 7 | – | – |
| Beaufort | 12,867 | – | – |
| Jumlah | 39,687 | 7,280 | 238 |
The effects of Greg inSabah were catastrophic. Its state government sustained damages, worth RM 130 million ($31,574, 2021 USD).[10] Many buildings and infrastructures were either destroyed or sustained damages.[7] Trees and electricity poles were downed due to the strong winds, while many roads were flooded.[7] Over 25,000 individuals were left homeless, mainly due to landslides and floods that washed away their houses.[7] Billboards and debris were also scattered throughout the roadways.[11] Total deaths from Greg were counted to be 238, while 102 more persons were rendered missing.[7][12] The impacts of Greg were separated by divisions, as follows:
In the capital of Sabah, some residents reported that the roofs of hundreds of houses were torn and some trees were downed due to high winds.[13] Billboard scraps and garbages were also scattered and dispersed throughout the roads.[13] 8,730 individuals were required to be evacuated, while 4 deaths were recorded in the city.[9] 4,717 houses were either destroyed or washed out.[9] One of the floodlights of theLikas Stadium collapsed through a major road, making vehicles stranded.[14] In addition, the roof of the said stadium were blown away by the strong winds from Greg.[14]
TheSabah Foundation Building was required to close due to the serious damage to the area.[14] The rooms of the Chief Minister's Department sustained heavy damages to equipment as they were flooded.[14] The said damage was possibly caused by a shattered glass roof falling from an estimated distance of eight meters.[14] However, no injuries were reported on the building.[14]
Some primary and secondary schools are also affected by the floods. These are the SK Pulau Sepangar, SK Gentiasan, SK Kebagu Menggatal, SK Rampayan Menggatal, SK Tobobon Menggatal, SK Karambunai Telipok, SK Melawa Telipok, SK Lapasan Telipok, SMK Menggatal, SMK Pulau Gaya, SMK Inanam, SMK Agama Inanam, SMK Likas, and SMK Perempuan Likas.[15] Another newly built school, namely the Sekolah Kebangsaan Darau, sustained a roof damage.[15]
In the district, 35 villages reported serious damages due to the floods.[15] In addition, the road that connects to the area and thestate's capital were disrupted because of downed trees that blocked the thoroughfare.[15] The trees also cut the power supply through the populated district, affecting an unknown number of residents.[15] The clean water supply also became a problem due to the broken water pipes that connects the district from the main water supply, at the capital Kota Kinabalu.[15] Fifteen primary schools reported damages due to the storm, as well churches, resort houses, and major hotels.[15][16] In the small town ofTamparuli, six schools reported damages; these are the SK Saradan, SK Pekan Tamparuli, SK Rungus, SK Lingga Baru, SK Guakon and SMK Pekan Tamparuli.[15]
At total of 8,136 individuals were affected, 1,697 houses were flooded and/or destroyed, and 5 people died in the district.[9]
The weather station of the area was reported to be heavily damaged by Greg.[17] Some fishing boats were either destroyed or stranded while the others sunk through the rough seas caused by the storm.[17] No deaths were reported in the area.[9]
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Greg was the last storm of 1996
