The Super Typhoon Haiyan has affected the Philippines, triggering flooding,
destroying buildings and causing millions of people to take shelter.

Ramon Anquilan DU1UGZ of the Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA)
reports that the typhoon made landfall at about 4.40am local time today in
Guian Estern Samar, about 600 kilometres southeast of Manila, and neighbouring
provinces are affected.

Then it made second landfall over Dulag-Tolosa, Leyte with maximum sustained
winds of 235 kilometres per hour near the centre and gusting up to 275 kph.

Sadly the area of Bohol and Cebu, which suffered from the 7.2 magnitude earthquake
in October, are also along the typhoon’s path. Bohol was the epicentre of
the earthquake that killed 222 people, where at least 5,000 survivors still
living in tents.

There is no power in many areas including Masbate, Ticao Island, Southern
Sorsogon, Romblon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Southern
Leyte, Biliran, Northern Cebu, Cebu City, Bantayan, Camotes Islands, Northern
Negros Occidental, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras and Dinagat Province.

Ramon DU1UGZ said, “HERO (Ham Emergency Radio Operator) have reported that
those along the typhoon path have shut down their radios as they wait out
for it to pass. In a few hours, we feel we should be hearing them again.”

Already there have been some 270 postings of emergency traffic. More reports
are expected. Earlier PARA called for the frequencies of 7.095 and 144.740
to be kept clear for emergency traffic.

Typhoon Haiyan, the world’s strongest this year, and some reports make it
potentially one of the most intense recorded.

The Philippines is battered by an average of 20 major storms or typhoons
each year. Typhoon Bopha left about 2,000 people dead or missing on Mindanao
Island in December 2012.

– Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.

The Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA) has activated its Ham Emergency
Radio Operators in emergency communications using a frequency of 7.095 MHz.

It did so almost immediately on receiving news that a 7.2 Magnitude earthquake
occurred in the Bohol Province causing numerous casualties and damage. Pictures
from the scene show damaged buildings, blocked roads and a looks of bewilderment
on many faces.

Roberto Jose C. Vicencio DU1VHY said all radio amateurs are asked to keep
the frequency clear. The assessment of damage and other relief work is continuing.

Various reports put the death toll up to 20 and many injured when the earthquake
struck near a key tourist area. It was followed by two aftershocks, each
measuring more than 5.0 in magnitude.

(Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee

In the aftermath of powerful Cyclone Phailin teams of radio amateurs are working there round the clock.

The Cyclone came ashore at Odisha in the Bay of Bengal flooding thousands of homes and forcing half a million people to leave early to seek to shelter in one of India’s biggest evacuations.

Jayu S. Bhide VU2JAU asks that the frequency of 7145 kHz be kept clear during the disaster. In a QSO with them he has determined the team includes Dilip VU2DPI, Mithilesh VU3BHI and Sameer VU2AOR.

India had issued a red alert as a massive cyclone bore down on the east coast, an area known for disasters. “It is raining heavily,” said Jayu VU2JAU, “but so far no casualty was recorded. Earlier they had six swept into the water. The rescue work is in progress and not affected by rains.”

The Cyclone has impacted a 150-kilometre stretch of coastline. Relief efforts were under way, with free food being served in shelters. Many mud homes and farms were destroyed, and uprooted trees blocked roads. The windy and wet conditions remain some areas.

During Paradwip Cyclone in 1999 a government report put the death toll at 8,243 with 445,000 livestock lost. It took years for crop yields to recover.

(Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee).

Hurricane Ingrid and Tropical Storm Manuel have hit Mexico simultaneously causing multiple deaths, landslides and disruption to the country. Radio Amateurs of the Mexican National Society FMRE have been active on 7060kHz as part of the response to the emergency.

Radio Amateurs are reminded of an earlier post here on the www.iaru-r1.org website listing the frequencies generally used by amateurs in Region 2 when responding to severe weather events.