Storm Trami’s Deadly Cross-Asia Path Left Floods and Landslides in Its Wake
Storm Trami formed over the western North Pacific on 18 October 2024 and moved westward toward the Philippine Sea before affecting Southeast Asia. The cyclone crossed Luzon on 24 October as Severe Tropical Storm Trami, locally known in the Philippines as Kristine, before entering the South China Sea. Trami reached its peak intensity over the South China Sea on 26 October with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h in Hong Kong Observatory analysis and 60 knots in Japan Meteorological Agency records. The storm made landfall in central Vietnam on 27 October and dissipated over the South China Sea on 29 October after causing floods, landslides, casualties, and economic losses in affected regions.
Trami Strengthened Over the Philippine Sea Before Slamming Luzon With Torrential Rain
Storm Trami began as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific near 13.2°N, 141.0°E on 18 October 2024. The system moved westward across the Philippine Sea and intensified steadily as it approached the waters east of the Philippines. By 21 October, the depression had developed into a tropical storm, receiving the international name Trami.
As Trami moved closer to the Philippines, the cyclone turned toward Luzon while maintaining a broad circulation that generated intense rainbands. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) named the storm Kristine under its local warning system and issued Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals across affected provinces.
Trami crossed Luzon on 24 October, bringing torrential rainfall, strong winds, and widespread flooding. PAGASA raised warnings to higher signal levels in several areas, including Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 in portions of Luzon where dangerous conditions developed. Rivers overflowed, communities were submerged, and landslides occurred in mountainous locations.
The Philippines experienced the most severe effects during Trami’s passage. Heavy rainfall caused extensive flooding in urban and rural areas, disrupted transportation networks, and forced large-scale evacuations. Emergency agencies conducted rescue operations as floodwaters isolated communities and damaged homes and public infrastructure.
According to disaster response assessments, Trami (Kristine) caused major losses across the Philippines. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported at least 111 fatalities, 74 injured people, and 30 missing persons as of late October. More than 7 million people were affected nationwide, and nearly 1 million residents were displaced during the emergency response period.
The storm’s effects were amplified by the geography of Luzon, where steep terrain and densely populated floodplains increased exposure to rainfall hazards. Although Trami did not become one of the strongest wind-producing cyclones of the season, its rainfall caused a major humanitarian emergency in the Philippines.
Trami Reached Typhoon Strength Over Open Water, Then Weakened Ahead of Vietnam Strike
After crossing Luzon, Trami entered the central South China Sea on the afternoon of 24 October and continued moving westward. The cyclone strengthened over warm waters and reached typhoon intensity on 26 October according to Hong Kong Observatory analysis. At peak intensity, Trami had maximum sustained winds of about 120 km/h near its center, while Japan Meteorological Agency analysis recorded a maximum intensity of 60 knots with a central pressure of 970 hPa.
The storm reached its strongest phase while positioned over the South China Sea near 17.1°N, 114.1°E. Its circulation remained organized as it moved westward, but increasing vertical wind shear gradually weakened the system. By 26 October, Trami began losing strength while approaching the coast of Vietnam.
The cyclone also affected southern China during this period. Hong Kong remained outside the direct core of Trami but experienced strong winds and coastal impacts as the storm passed to the south. The Hong Kong Observatory issued Standby Signal No. 1 on 25 October and later Strong Wind Signal No. 3 on 26 October as winds strengthened under the combined influence of Trami and the northeast monsoon.
Hong Kong recorded coastal effects during the storm’s passage, including a maximum sea level of 2.86 metres above chart datum and a maximum storm surge of 0.72 metres above astronomical tide at Tai Po Kau. Hong Kong reported no major damage from the storm, but outer rainbands brought cloudy conditions and showers.
Trami’s circulation also contributed to prolonged rainfall in Hainan from 26 to 31 October. Qionghai recorded a maximum cumulative rainfall of 1243.1 millimetres during this period. Flooding and landslides linked to the extreme rainfall caused ten deaths, affected more than 550,000 people, and produced economic losses of about RMB 230 million.
Storm Made Landfall in Central Vietnam, but Flooding Continued as It Lingered Near Coast
Trami turned south-southwestward after weakening over the South China Sea and approached central Vietnam on 27 October. The storm made landfall around midday with reduced intensity compared with its peak over open water, but it continued producing heavy rainfall across coastal and inland areas.
Central Vietnam faced renewed flood threats as rivers responded to intense precipitation. Several provinces reported damaged houses, casualties, and transportation disruptions after the storm moved inland. The combination of saturated ground, mountainous terrain, and persistent rainfall increased the risk of landslides.
After landfall, Trami moved slowly because of weak steering currents. The remaining circulation stayed near the Vietnamese coast before weakening further. The system was classified as a tropical depression on 28 October and dissipated over the South China Sea on 29 October.
The storm’s final phase continued to produce rainfall even after its winds declined. Vietnam recorded at least three deaths, one missing person, and more than 290 damaged houses following Trami’s passage.
Philippines Suffered the Heaviest Impacts, but Hainan and Vietnam Also Faced Heavy Losses
The overall impact of Storm Trami was concentrated in the Philippines, where locally named Severe Tropical Storm Kristine caused widespread flooding and landslides. The Philippine disaster response focused on evacuations, rescue operations, and assistance for communities affected by rising floodwaters.
PAGASA’s warning system played a central role during the event, with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals providing alerts as Trami approached and crossed Luzon. The storm became one of the most destructive weather events affecting the Philippines in late October 2024 due to the extreme rainfall it produced across the archipelago.
In China, Hainan experienced some of the heaviest rainfall associated with Trami and its remnants. The Qionghai rainfall total of 1243.1 millimetres became one of the key measurements of the storm’s regional impact. Flooding and landslides affected communities across the island.
Vietnam faced the final major impacts of Trami after landfall in the central coastal region. Heavy rainfall damaged homes and caused casualties before the cyclone weakened completely.
According to regional meteorological records, Trami formed on 18 October 2024, reached peak intensity on 26 October with winds of 60 knots and a minimum pressure of 970 hPa, made landfall in central Vietnam on 27 October, weakened into a low-pressure area by 28 October, and dissipated over the South China Sea on 29 October.