Typhoon Songda
Updated: 7 October 2004
Profile
| Event dates | 29 August – 9 September 2004 |
| Area | Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Japan, South Korea, Russia |
| Fatalities | 32; 14 missing |
| Insured loss (est.) | USD 3.5 bn |
Event description
Typhoon Songda formed in the North Pacific near the Marshall Islands and reached typhoon strength on 29 August 2004. Two days later, Songda crossed over the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Fortunately, no damage or injuries were reported. On 5 September, Songda swept over the southernmost Japanese island of Okinawa, bringing heavy rain and high winds. The agricultural sector bore the brunt of the losses, as most of the island's farm crops were damaged by Songda's 166 km/h winds. (click to view map)
Songda then headed towards the Japanese mainland, moving at 35 km/h, and made landfall near Nagasaki on 7 September 2004. It then carved a path of destruction along the country's southern and western coast, leaving about 1.6 million households without power. Numerous homes were demolished and more than a thousand buildings were flooded. Nationwide, more than a hundred flights were cancelled, while most train and ferry operators in Hokkaido and other parts of northern Japan suspended their services. Shipping was also heavily affected. Several freighters ran aground and the oil tanker Columbus was stranded. The tanks were damaged and oil began to leak along Russia’s Sakhalin coastline.
Songda is the seventh typhoon to strike Japan this season. As a result of the heavy rains, authorities warned of the increased danger of landslides. In South Korea, Songda brought rains of up to 173 mm. Ullung Island and Pohang were the most seriously affected.
Insured loss
Insured losses from Typhoon Songda are likely to be in the range of USD 2 - 4 billion.
Swiss Re's share of the loss
Based on current estimates, aggregate claims related to Typhoon Songda are expected to be some USD 110 million before tax.
Typhoon track
