TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2003

Krovanh developed as a tropical depression about 110 km south-southwest of Guam on 17 August. It tracked northwestwards in the first two days and turned westwards on 19 August. Krovanh intensified into a tropical storm on the night of 20 August and further intensified into a severe tropical storm the next night. It reached typhoon strength on 22 August and crossed Luzon that night. In the Philippines, the heavy rain brought by Krovanh killed a girl and caused over 1000 families to be displaced. Adopting a west-northwest track, Krovanh entered the South China Sea on 23 August morning and moved across the northern part of the South China Sea the next day. After skirting the northeastern part of Hainan, Krovanh entered Beibu Wan on 25 August. In Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan, at least two people were killed and five were injured during the approach of Krovanh. About 13 000 houses collapsed and 140 thousands hectares of crops were affected. The estimated economic loss was over 2.1 billions RMB. Krovanh weakened into a severe tropical storm on the early morning on 26 August after making landfall over northern Vietnam. It further weakened into a tropical storm the same day and dissipated inland during the night. In northern Vietnam, one person was found dead and five were hurt during the passage of Krovanh. Krovanh also damaged about 1 000 houses.

In Hong Kong, the Standby Signal No. 1 was issued at 9.30 a.m. on 23 August when Krovanh was located about 760 km to the southeast of Hong Kong. As Krovanh moved towards the South China coast on the morning of 24 August, local winds began to strengthen. The Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was issued at 11.30 a.m. Its outer rainbands brought squally heavy rain and thunderstorms to Hong Kong. The Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal was issued at 4.20 a.m. and more than 70 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over most parts of the territory on that day. The lowest instantaneous mean sea-level pressure of 1001.6 hPa was recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory at 3.48 p.m. on 24 August. Krovanh was closest to Hong Kong on 24 August night when it was about 340 km to the south-southwest.

While the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was in force, strong east to southeasterly winds were generally experienced in Hong Kong, with occasionally gales offshore and on high ground. As Krovanh moved away from Hong Kong and entered Beibu Wan on 25 August, local winds began to weaken gradually. All tropical cyclone warnings were cancelled at 11.30 a.m. the same day. Under the influence of outer rainbands of Krovanh, there were occasional heavy squally showers and thunderstorms in Hong Kong on 25 August. While over 30 millimetres of rainfall were recorded in most parts of the territory, rainfall in Lantau Island and Tuen Mun exceeded 100 millimetres.

The approach of Krovanh resulted in 11 people injured. There were 68 cases of uprooted trees and several cases of falling objects in Hong Kong. A large section of scaffolding in Ngau Tau Kok Upper Estate also collapsed under high winds. One ferry service to outlying island and four bus routes were suspended temporarily.

Information on maximum wind, daily rainfall and maximum sea level during the passage of Krovanh is given in Tables 3.3.1 - 3.3.3. Figures 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 show the track of Krovanh and the rainfall distribution in Hong Kong respectively. Figure 3.3.3 is the satellite imagery of Krovanh.

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