Overview of Tropical Cyclones in July 2008

Two tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and South China Sea in July 2008.

Kalmaegi formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 630 km southeast of Gaoxiong on 14 July and moved southwestwards slowly. Kalmaegi intensified into a tropical storm the next day. It turned to move generally north-northwestwards and intensified into a severe tropical storm on 16 July, and a typhoon the next day. Kalmaegi crossed northern Taiwan on the early morning of 18 July and weakened into a severe tropical storm. According to press reports, Kalmaegi brought torrential rain to Taiwan, triggering flash floods and landslides. Twenty people were killed and the agricultural losses exceeded NT$1 billion. Kalmaegi made landfall near Xiapu in northeastern Fujian that evening and weakened further into a tropical storm. Kalmaegi brought damage to parts of Fujian and the direct economic losses were around 300 million RMB. It turned to move north-northeastwards across Zhejiang and Jiangsu on 19 July and turned to move northeastwards the next day. Kalmaegi became an extra-tropical cyclone near DPR Korea on 21 July.

Fung-wong formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 700 km southeast of Okinawa on 24 July and moved generally westwards. It intensified into a tropical storm on 25 July and a severe tropical storm the next day. Fung-wong intensified further into a typhoon on 27 July and turned to move northwestwards, crossing Taiwan on the morning of 28 July. According to press reports, two people were killed and six others injured in Taiwan and the agricultural damage exceeded NT$300 million. Fung-wong made landfall at Fuqing City, Fujian on the night of 28 July. It weakened first into a severe tropical storm and then a tropical storm on the following day. Fung-wong weakened into a tropical depression and subsequently into an area of low pressure overland on 30 July. Fung-wong brought rainstorms to southeastern China and triggered tornadoes in Jiangsu. At least six people were killed and over 40 others injured. Over 2 000 houses collapsed or were damaged and the direct economic losses were some 1.5 billion RMB.