What are the current conditions?

Authorities and disaster managers are on high alert with current predictions that Tropical Storm Bopha (TS Bopha) will pass close to Palau as a Category 4 tropical cyclone with the potential for a significant impact.

As of this morning, TS Bopha remains a Category 2 tropical cyclone with maximum winds averaging 93 km near the centre.

This morning’s satellite imagery shows that the system is becoming better organized and is continuing to intensify.

What are the current conditions?

Over the past 24 hours Tropical Storm Bopha (26W) has continued to intensify and is now a Category 2 tropical cyclone with maximum winds averaging 55 knots near the centre.

The system continues to move steadily westwards and modeling is in agreement with this meaning that there is a high degree of confidence in the predicted forecast track.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Weak El Niño conditions expected to form in the Pacific Island region during the September to November period.

• Dryer conditions expected in Fiji, Samoa and Wallis & Futuna. Above normal rainfall is forecast for the Federated States of Micronesia. Normal rainfall is forecast elsewhere, with no clear guidance given for Niue, the Solomon Islands, the Southern Cook Islands and the Society Islands.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

KEY developments

Executive summary

The Pacific region covers a vast geographical area comprising thousands of islands and atolls. The majority of Pacific island countries contend with the challenges of smallness and geographic isolation. The Pacific island countries are the most heavily aid-assisted part of the world on a per capita basis. The high rates of migration in the region are primarily a response to real and perceived inequalities in socio-economic opportunities.

A variety of hazards including cyclones, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides - constitute

This report covers the period 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2009.

In brief

Programme summary:

The Pacific regional office works with and supports a total of 12 national societies and two in formation in the region, including Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati Islands, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

In this reporting period, the regional office continues to engage with national societies in the region on disaster

HIGHLIGHTS/ KEY PRIORITIES

- Damage and humanitarian need in Federated States of Micronesia still unclear but expected to prove manageable at the national level

- High seas receding, immediate threat appearing to diminish

- No request for international assistance from any affected country

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Abnormally high sea levels have been experienced by a range of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) since Tuesday 9 December. In some instances, damage to buildings, flooding, and displacement of people has occurred. No deaths have been reported.

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2004/0069
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Federated States of Micronesia - Typhoon Sudal
Occurred on 9 April 2004

This report is based on information provided by the UNDAC team in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

Situation

1. On Friday 9 April, Typhoon Sudal passed Yap State of Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), causing extensive damage to public and private utilities and food crops in the mainland of Yap, whose population is 8,000. The outlying islands of Ulithi and Fais were also struck by the typhoon.