Overview of Tropical Cyclones in December 2001
(Tracks)
Three tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in December. Among them, Faxai was the most intense typhoon in 2001 while Vamei was the tropical cyclone which moved nearest to the Equator since World War II.
Kajiki formed as a tropical depression about 730 km southeast of Manila on 5 December. In the next two days, it tracked west-northwestwards across the central part of the Philippines and gave rise to severe flooding and landslides. Two persons were killed and one was reported missing. More than 6 400 people had to be evacuated. On 7 December, Kajiki entered the South China Sea and strengthened into a tropical storm. On 8 December, it turned west and traveled across the central part of the South China Sea. Kajiki weakened into a tropical depression and took on a southwestward course later that night. On 9 December, it weakened further into an area of low pressure over the seas east of Vietnam. In the fury of Kajiki, 12 Vietnamese fishing vessels with 149 fishermen on board went missing.
On 16 December, Faxai developed into a tropical depression over the Pacific at about 2 000 km east-southeast of Guam and strengthened into a tropical storm the next day. In the first four days, Faxai was slow-moving. On 20 December, it took on a northwest track and intensified into a severe tropical storm. On the next day, it attained typhoon intensity. Faxai intensified further on 23 December with the maximum wind speed estimated to reach 205 km/h, making it the most intense typhoon in 2001. On 24 December, Faxai turned north and later accelerated towards the northeast. It weakened into a severe tropical storm on 25 December and became an extratropical cyclone over the North Pacific the following day.
Vamei formed as a tropical depression about 130 km east of Singapore on the morning of 27 December. It tracked west and intensified into a tropical storm that afternoon. In the small hours of 28 December, Vamei's centre passed to the north of Singapore. It then weakened into a tropical depression later that morning and became an area of low pressure over the Malacca Straits the same day. During its entire life span, Vamei stayed south of 2 oN and was the tropical cyclone which moved closest to the Equator over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea since World War II. Vamei brought strong winds and torrential rains to Singapore, forcing some planes to be delayed or diverted to nearby airports. Fallen trees and flooding also caused massive traffic jams and delay to some train services.
