Applications of Numerical Modelling for the Study on Storm Surge in Typhoon Xangsane in the Central Coast of Vietnam

ABSTRACT: Understanding impacts of typhoons due to storm surge plays an important role in reducing damage in coastal areas. This study used the SWAN wave model to simulate the typhoon waves and the SuWAT model to simulate storm surge and inundation caused by Typhoon Xangsane in 2006 which landed in the Central Coast of Vietnam from Nghe An to Phu Yen Provinces. The wind-pressure field was calculated by the Fujita’s model and reanalysis data were inputted to the SWAN and SuWAT models. The simulated results of the typhoon wave showed that Typhoon Xangsane caused 5-7 m height waves in the coastal areas with a radius of 600 km. The results of the storm surge combined with the simulations of wind, pressure, wave, and tide in the coastal areas were estimated at 2 m. The simulated and calculated results of storm surge and inundation maps will help the decision makers in the Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control to reduce the impacts of natural disasters induced to storm surge in the near future. Keywords: Typhoon Xangsane, storm surge, SWAN, SuWAT