The 40th session of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee has been held in Macau, China on November 21-26, 2007 with participation from 12 members of CAMBODIA, CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, MACAO, MALAYSIA, PHILIPPINES, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, SINGAPORE, THAILAND, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and VIET NAM.

In Working Group Hydrology, Japan is a leading the project to "establish a flash flood warning system, including debris flow and landslide warnings."

China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam and Japan reported on their progress. Japan reported that the technical help desk established in the web-page of International SABO Network (http://www.sabo-int.org/index.html).

The Philippines reported that the pilot area to be selected will be near Mayon Volcano, the area struck by Typhoon Reming which caused flash floods and landslides in November, 2006.

Viet Nam reported that the two pilot areas it selected were in the Ngoi Lao River and Ngoi Pha River, areas. Rainfall data-collecting systems have been installed and activated. Viet Nam also plans to add some pilot areas.

China, Malaysia and Thailand reported on the progress they have made and the results of the collection of rainfall data. Noteworthy was China reporting that it had developed three useful methods: a Critical Rainfall Method, a Maximum Rainfall Method, and a Return Period Method. China also reported on the results achieved so far by applying them.

In the internal meeting of WGH, activities in 2008 has confirmed by the members as follows;

(a)

Through Technical Help Desk, Japan will actively provide technical consultation with interested members for setting CLs(Clitical Lines)

(b)

All interested members will set CLs at model sites

(c)

Japan to study how to apply CLs for locations where past data are scarce and provide results to members