Tropical Storm Sonamu (2013)

Severe Tropical Storm Sonamu, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Auring, was a tropical cyclone which brought minor effects in the Philippines and East Malaysia in early January 2013. The first named storm of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season, Sonamu first noted as a tropical depression several hundred miles southwest of the Mariana Islands on the New Year's Day of 2013. The system tracked west-northwest with no significant development, and it struck Mindanao late on January 2. As the system emerged into the Sulu Sea, it gradually consolidated and became Tropical Storm Sonamu on the next day as it tracked westward. Sonamu emerged into the South China Sea on January 4. Despite marginally favourable environment, Sonamu managed to improve its organization and strengthened to a severe tropical storm on the next day as it turned west-southwest. Environmental condition soon deteriorated, Sonamu weekend to a tropical storm on January 6 and began to slow down. On January 7, Sonamu turned southeastward and weakened further to a tropical depression on the next day. The system drifted slowly to the southeast, and dissipated on January 10, just off the coast of Sarawak.

In the early stage, Sonamu struck the southern Philippines and brought heavy rains, which triggered flooding and landslides. Over 10,000 people were affected by Sonmau, and thousands of people were evacuated to flee from the storm. Transport were disrupted, leaving hundreds of people stranded. Two people were killed and Sonamu injured 12 others, though the storm effects across the country was minimal.