Asia-Pacific region 19 - 26 February, 2013 - Natural disasters and other events being monitored by the OCHA Regional Office for the Asia-Pacific

1. Solomon Islands - A tsunami triggered by a large quake has struck the Santa Cruz islands (Temotu Province). A Humanitarian Action Plan will be presented to the National Disaster Committee early next week, containing plans for response efforts over the next four months. Assessments confirm that 588 houses have been destroyed and 478 houses have been partially damaged. Assessments on the northern coast have found additional damages, especially to water sources.
   Source: OCHA

2. Philippines - Tropical Depression Crising passed just below the sourthern Philippines 19-21 Feb causing landslides, and flash flooding. 4 are dead and 2 others remain missing. Nearly 263,000 are affected of whom nearly 31,000 are in evactuation centers.
   Source: NDRRMC, UNISYS

3. Indonesia - Heavy rain has caused flash flooding and landslides across western Indonesia including Sulawesi, Bali, Java, and Sumatra. Although a total of 11 people have died and over 5,000 homes destroyed, the incidents are being dealt with by the local authorities and are unlikely to require international assistance.
   Source: AHA Center, OCHA

4. Australia - Tropical Cyclone Rusty is expected to make landfall in northwestern Australia as a Category 2 or 3 storm. Fortunately the area is sparcely populated. Port Hedland a town of 14,000 is at risk from the storm. Tropical Storm Eighteen has formed near Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
   It is not expected to reach cyclone strength.
   Source: GDACS, PDC

5. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand - The latest 3 day rain forecast from NOAA predicts heavy rain across western Indonesia, Western Malaysia, and Southern Thailand on 25-26 Feb. The high amount of rain in such a short time could trigger localized flooding and landslides.
   Source: NOAA

Precipitation Forecast - The latest forecast predicts a slightly higher than average chance for greater than normal precipitation in across much of SE Asia and Melanesia. A higher chance of increased rainfall is predicted for the Maldives. Lower than average rainfall is predicted for most of Kiribati and Tuvalu.
Source: IRI