TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2004
2.1 Review of tropical cyclones in 2004
| 2.1.1 | Tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific (including the South China Sea) |
In 2004, 33 tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea (i.e. the area bounded by the Equator, 45, 100 and 180? Near the 30-year (1961-1990) average of 31. Throughout the year, 19 tropical cyclones attained typhoon strength, three more than the normal figure.
The first tropical cyclone of the year formed in February. The monthly frequencies of the occurrence of tropical cyclones and typhoons in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in 2004 are shown in Figure 2.1.
During the year, six tropical cyclones hit the southeast coast of China, seven affected Taiwan, ten affected Japan (including Ryukyu Islands), three traversed the Philippines, another one made landfall over Vietnam.
The most intense tropical cyclone in 2004 was Chaba (0416). Chaba had a maximum wind speed of about 220 km/h and a minimum sea-level pressure about 910 hPa.
2.1.2 Tropical cyclones in Hong Kong's area of responsibility
Amongst those 33 tropical cyclones in 2004, 15 occurred inside Hong Kong's area of responsibility (i.e. the area bounded by 10, 30, 105 and 125). This was near the 30-year (1961-90) annual average of 16.4 (Table 2.1). Four of these 15 tropical cyclones developed within Hong Kong area of responsibility. Altogether, 337 tropical cyclone warnings to ships and vessels were issued by the Hong Kong Observatory in 2004 (Table 4.2).
2.1.3 Tropical cyclones over the South China Sea
There were eight tropical cyclones affecting the South China Sea (i.e. the area bounded by 10, 25, 105 and 120) in 2004. Three of them formed over the area. Five moved into the area from the western North Pacific.
2.1.4 Tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong
Only three tropical cyclones affected Hong Kong in 2004 (Figure 2.2), three less than the normal number (Table 2.2). These three tropical cyclones were Conson (0404), Kompasu (0409) and Aere (0417).
The highest signal issued this year was the Gale or Storm Signal No.8. When Kompasu affected Hong Kong in July. Conson in June and Aere in August only necessitated the issuance of the Standby Signal No. 1 in Hong Kong.
2.1.5 Tropical cyclone rainfall
Tropical cyclone rainfall (the total rainfall recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory from the time when a tropical cyclone is centred within 600 km of Hong Kong to 72 hours after it has dissipated or moved farther than 600 km away from Hong Kong) in 2004 was 402.1 mm. This is 46% below the normal of 737.9 mm and accounts for some 23 % of the year's total rainfall of 1 738.6 mm.
A monthly overview of tropical cyclones is given in this Section. Detailed reports on tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong are presented in Section 3.
JANUARY
No tropical cyclone occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in January.
FEBRUARY
A tropical depression formed over the Pacific about 1 500 km east of Manila on the morning of 14 February and was slow-moving. It weakened into an area of low pressure on 16 February.
MARCH
A tropical depression formed over the Pacific about 1 100 km east of Manila on 18 March. It tracked northwestwards towards Luzon in the next two days. It turned north on 21 March and weakened into an area of low pressure the next day over seas east of Luzon.
APRIL
Sudal (0401) developed as a tropical depression about 900 km southeast of Guam on the night of 4 April. While meandering towards the west, it intensified into a tropical storm the next day. Sudal strengthened further into a severe tropical storm on 6 April and attained typhoon intensity the following day. It adopted a northwest track on 9 April, and it attained a maximum sustained wind speed of 175 km/h on 10 April. Sudal turned to the northeast on 12 April and started to accelerate on the next day. It weakened into a severe tropical storm on 15 April. Sudal further weakened into a tropical storm on 16 April and became an extratropical cyclone the same day.
MAY
On the early morning of 14 May, Nida (0402) formed over the Pacific, about 690 km west-southwest of Yap. While tracking slowly towards the northwest, it intensified rapidly into a severe tropical storm on 14 May and further intensified into a typhoon on 15 May. Moving over the seas along the east coast of the Philippines, Nida tracked northwards on 17 May and attained a maximum sustained wind speed of 195 km/h the next day. In the Philippines, 20 people were found dead and 11 others were hurt during the approach of Nida. It tracked towards the northeast and started to speed up on 19 May. Nida weakened into a severe tropical storm on the early morning of 21 May and became an extratropical cyclone the same day.
On 16 May, a tropical depression formed over the South China Sea, about 230 km east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. While moving slowing, it weakened into an area of low pressure the next day.
On 17 May, Omais (0403) formed over the Pacific, about 300 km southeast of Yap. While tracking mainly towards the northwest for the next three days, it intensified into a tropical storm on 19 May. Omais turned to the north-northeast on 20 May and weakened into a tropical depression the next day. It weakened into an area of low pressure over the Pacific on 22 May.
JUNE
Conson (0404) formed as a tropical depression about 510 km west of Manila on 5 June. Being slow moving at first, it began to track north-northeastwards over the South China Sea the next day and intensified into a typhoon on 8 June. In the next 2 days, Conson took on a northeastward course, traversing Luzon Strait and the seas east of Taiwan. It became an extratropical cyclone near the southern coast of Shikoku, Japan on 11 June.
A tropical depression named Chanthu (0405) developed about 390 km south-southwest of Manila on 10 June. Moving westwards, it became a tropical storm early next morning and further intensified into a severe tropical storm on 12 June. Heading towards central Vietnam, Chanthu made landfall there and dissipated over Thailand on 13 June. In Vietnam, at least 11 people were killed in the fury of Chanthu.
Dianmu (0406) developed into a tropical depression about 240 km west-southwest of Yap on the afternoon of 13 June. Drifting slowly over the Pacific at first, Dianmu intensified rapidly into a Typhoon on the morning of 15 June. It took on a northwestward course in the following days and turned northeastwards on 20 June. Dianmu swept across Honshu, Japan and weakened rapidly into extratropical cyclone over the Sea of Japan the next day. In Japan, Dianmu caused three deaths and more than 100 injuries. Three were reported missing and about 1 300 had to be evacuated. Electricity supply to some 27 000 households was cut off. At least 137 flights were cancelled.
Mindulle (0407) developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 270 km north-northwest of Guam on 23 June. Tracking in the general direction of Luzon, it intensified gradually and became a typhoon on 27 June. On 30 June, Mindulle drifted over the Luzon Straits in the morning and turned northwards that afternoon. Torrential rain associated with Mindulle caused 31 deaths in the Philippines, and another 11 persons were reported missing. Total damage inflicted by Mindulle in the Philippines amounted to approximately US$ 20 million. Mindulle weakened into a severe tropical storm on 1 July before sweeping across the northeastern part of Taiwan the following day. In the fury of Mindulle, 23 people were killed, 16 injured, 13 reported missing, and the electricity and water supply to over ten thousand people were interrupted in Taiwan. The economic loss exceeded NT$ 9 billion. Mindulle weakened further into a tropical storm on 3 July as it skirted the coastal areas of Zhejiang and traversed the East China Sea. During its passage, two persons drowned, seven were injured, and two others were reported missing in Zhejiang. Mindulle became an extratropical cyclone near Cheju the next morning. It brought heavy rain to the Korean Peninsula as well as parts of Japan.
A tropical depression named Tingting (0408) formed about 820 km east-southeast of Guam on 25 June. Moving northwestwards over the Pacific, it reached typhoon strength on 29 June as it crossed the Mariana Islands. After passing just to the east of Iwo Jima and Ogasawara Islands, Tingting began to track northeastwards on 1 July. It weakened into a severe tropical storm early next morning, and became an extratropical cyclone over the Pacific on 4 July. In Guam, torrential rain associated with Tingting caused a number of floods and landslides. Guam airport had to be temporarily closed. In the Mariana Islands, four people were killed during the passage of Tingting.
JULY
Kompasu (0409) developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 620 km east-southeast of Gaoxiong on the early morning of 14 July. Moving westwards, Kompasu intensified into a tropical storm that afternoon and crossed the Luzon Strait into the northern part of the South China Sea. It made landfall over Hong Kong on 16 July. Kompasu weakened into a tropical depression and dissipated over inland Guangdong that evening.
On 25 July, Namtheun (0410) developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific, about 1 030 km northeast of Guam. Tracking northwestwards, Namtheun intensified rapidly into a typhoon the next day. It turned west-northwestwards on 28 July. On 31 July, Namtheun made landfall over Shikoku of Japan and weakened into a severe tropical storm. It entered the Sea of Japan on 1 August and became an extratropical cyclone that afternoon. Namtheun brought strong winds and widespread heavy rain to many parts of Japan. Seven people injured, and two others reported missing.
A tropical depression formed over the South China Sea about 190 km east-southeast of Hong Kong on the early morning of 27 July. Moving in a northwest direction towards the eastern part of Guangdong, the tropical depression made landfall in the vicinity of Shantou that afternoon and dissipated rapidly. During its passage, a fishing boat capsized near Shantou and 21 crew members were reported missing.
AUGUST
Tropical depression Malou (0411) formed over the Pacific about 680 km south-southwest of Tokyo, Japan on the morning of 4 August. Moving northwestwards, it intensified into a tropical storm and skirted the eastern coast of Shikoku, Japan that afternoon. After sweeping across the southwestern part of Honshu, Malou became an extratropical cyclone over the Sea of Japan on the early morning of 5 August.
A tropical depression named Meranti (0412) formed about 400 km north-northwest of Wake Island on the afternoon of 4 August. Moving northwards at first, it began to track north-northeastwards over the Pacific on 5 August and intensified into a typhoon that evening. On 7 August, Meranti weakened into a severe tropical storm as it turned northward. It eventually became an extratropical cyclone on 9 August.
On 8 August, Rananim (0413) developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific, about 1 100 km east-northeast of Manila. Tracking in the general direction of the East China Sea, it attained typhoon strength on 11 August. Rananim made landfall over Wenzhou on the night of 12 August and weakened into an area of low pressure over near Nanchang the next day. Rananim inflicted severe damage on several provinces, killing 164 people and injuring 1800 others. 24 people were reported missing. The economic loss exceeded RMB$15 billion.
On 10 August, tropical depression Malakas (0414) formed about 1 320 km east of Iwo Jima. It took on a northeastward course and intensified into a tropical storm the following day. Malakas turned east-northeastward on 12 August and became an extratropical cyclone the next day.
On 16 August, Megi (0415) developed as a tropical depression about 1 130 km northwest of Yap and moved northwestwards. It intensified into a typhoon over the East China Sea and turned northeastwards on 18 August. Megi skirted the southeastern coast of the South Korea and traversed the Sea of Japan the next day. On 20 August, Megi weakened into a severe tropical storm and crossed the northern coast of Honshu, Japan. It became an extratropical cyclone that afternoon. During the passage of Megi, 13 people were killed in South Korea and Japan.
Tropical depression Chaba (0416) formed about 910 km south-southwest of Wake Island on 19 August. Moving in a westerly direction towards Guam, Chaba intensified into a typhoon on 22 August and turned northwestwards the next day. On 30 August, Chaba made landfall near Kagoshima, Japan. It then turned northeastward and rampaged across Kushu and the southwestern part of Honshu the same day. Chaba weakened into a severe tropical storm over the Sea of Japan on the morning of 31 August and became an extratropical cyclone over Hokkaido that afternoon. In Japan, Chaba caused 12 deaths and at least 230 injuries. Five people were reported missing andmore than 50 000 families had to be evacuated. Electricity supply to some 350 000 households was cut off. More than 500 flights were cancelled.
Aere (0417) developed as a tropical depression about 550 km north-northwest of Yap on 20 August and intensified into a tropical storm that afternoon. Moving in a northwesterly direction towards the northern part of Taiwan, Aere intensified gradually and reached typhoon strength on 22 August. On 24 August, Aere turned westwards and skirted the coast of northern Taiwan. After making landfall near Xiamen the next day, Aere turned southwest and traversed the coastal areas of Fujian. It degenerated into an area of low pressure over central Guangdong on 27 August.
A tropical depression named Songda (0418) formed over the Pacific about 910 km south of Wake Island on 27 August. Tracking west-northwestwards, Songda intensified into a typhoon on 31 August and crossed the Mariana Islands the next day. It traversed Okinawa on 5 September. Songda began to track northeastward on 6 September while it was over the East China Sea. It made landfall near Nagasaki of Japan and skirted the southwestern tip of Honshu the following day. Songda weakened into a severe tropical storm over the Sea of Japan on the early morning of 8 September and skirted the southwestern coast of Hokkaido before becoming an extratropical cyclone. In Japan, widespread heavy rain associated with Songda triggered off landslides and floods. Under the influence of Songda, at least 32 people were killed and over 900 were injured in Japan. Electricity supply to tens of thousands families was cut off. More than 300 flights were cancelled. One vessel sank and three others ran aground.
SEPTEMBER
On 4 September, Sarika (0419) developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 950 km east of Guam. Tracking west-northwestwards, Sarika intensified into a severe tropical storm a day later and crossed the Mariana Islands. It turned northeast on the early morning of 7 September and weakened into an area of low pressure over the Pacific the following day.
Haima (0420) developed as a tropical depression about 150 km east of Gaoxiong on 11 September. It moved northwards and traversed the seas to the east of Taiwan. Haima intensified into a tropical storm and entered the East China Sea the next day. In Taiwan, the inclement weather associated with Haima caused six deaths and thousands of homes to be flooded. On 13 September, Haima made landfall over Wenzhou and weakened into a tropical depression. It degenerated into an area of low pressure the same day. The heavy rain associated with Haima flooded roads over parts of Wenzhou.
A tropical depression formed over the Pacific about 140 km south-southeast of Guam on 20 September and was named Meari (0421). After traversing the seas to the south of Guam, Meari turned northwest the next day and attained typhoon strength on 23 September. Meari began to track northeastwards to cross the East China Sea on 27 September. It made landfall near Kagoshima, Japan and weakened into a severe tropical storm two days later. Meari then swept across Shikoku and Honshu. On the last day of the month, it became an extratropical cyclone over the coastal areas of northeastern Honshu. During the passage of Meari, 20 people were killed and 85 injured in Japan. Another seven were reported missing and about 10 000 people had to be evacuated. Meari triggered off a number of landslides and floods in Japan. Power supply to about 90 000 families was suspended. Hundreds of flights were cancelled. Train and ferry services were also interrupted.
OCTOBER
A tropical depression named Ma-on (0422) formed over the Pacific about 870 km north-northwest of Yap on 4 October. Moving northwards, Ma-on intensified into a tropical storm that night. It turned northwest the next day and intensified into a typhoon on the early morning of 7 October. Ma-on headed north-northeast towards Japan that afternoon. On 9 October, Ma-on traversed the southeastern part of Honshu. It weakened into a severe tropical storm and became an extratropical cyclone early next morning. In Japan, Ma-on caused six deaths, 103 injuries. Two persons were reported missing and over 3 500 families had to be evacuated. More than 400 flights were cancelled. Rail and ferry services were also interrupted.
Tokage (0423) developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 260 km east of Guam on 12 October. Moving westwards, Tokage intensified into a typhoon on 14 October. It then took on a northwestward course. On 19 October, Tokage turned northeast and skirted Okinawa. After making landfall over Shikoku of Japan the next day, Tokage weakened into a severe tropical storm over the central part of Honshu. It became an extratropical cyclone on the early morning of 21 October. In the fury of Tokage, 82 people were killed, 443 injured and eight went missing in Japan. About 200 houses were destroyed and another 23 000 homes were flooded. A vessel ran aground, around 1 000 domestic flights were cancelled and train services were also suspended.
Nock-ten (0424) formed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 990 km south-southwest of Wake Island on 14 October. Tracking westwards, it attained typhoon strength on 18 October. It adopted a west-northwest course on 19 October towards Taiwan. Nock-ten hit the northern part of Taiwan on 25 October and turned northeastwards as it entered the East China Sea. Nock-ten weakened into a severe tropical storm that night and became an extratropical cyclone the next morning. Strong winds and torrential rain associated with Nock-ten triggered off landslides in Taiwan. At least four people were killed, 104 injured and two went missing. Electricity supply to over 380 thousand families was cut off. Agricultural losses were estimated at NT$ 160 million.
NOVEMBER
A tropical depression named Muifa (0425) formed over the Pacific about 840 km west-northwest of Yap on 14 November. Moving west-northwestwards, Muifa began to execute a clockwise loop on 17 November and intensified into a typhoon the following day. After looping, it swept across the central part of the Philippines on 19 November. Muifa weakened into a severe tropical storm the next day and entered the South China Sea. In the fury of Muifa, 61 people were killed, 101 injured and 80 reported missing in the Philippines where total damage amounted to approximately US$ 1.3 million.
Muifa re-intensified into a typhoon over the central part of the South China Sea on 21 November. It turned west-southwest and became a severe tropical storm the next day. Muifa skirted the southern tip of Vietnam on the morning of 25 November. It weakened into an area of low pressure that night after traversing the Gulf of Thailand. In Vietnam, landslides and floods triggered by Muifa caused at least 33 deaths.
Merbok (0426) developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 140 km east-northeast of Manila on 22 November and tracked west-northwest. After crossing Luzon, Merbok entered the South China Sea the following day and degenerated into an area of low pressure that afternoon. During the passage of Merbok, 26 people were killed in the Philippines.
Nanmadol (0427) developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 860 km south-southeast of Guam on 29 November. Moving west-northwestwards, Nanmadol traversed Yap and intensified into a typhoon the next day. It struck Luzon on 2 December. Nanmadol caused 37 deaths in the Philippines, and another 38 persons were reported missing. As Nanmadol entered the South China Sea on 3 December, it weakened into a severe tropical storm and adopted a northeastward course. It made landfall over the southern part of Taiwan before becoming an extratropical cyclone on 4 December. In Taiwan, one person was killed during the passage of Nanmadol. Agricultural losses were estimated at NT$ 60 million.
DECEMBER
Talas (0428) formed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 1 220 km south-southwest of Wake Island on the morning of 11 December and intensified into a tropical storm that afternoon. Talas headed westwards in the next few days. It weakened into a tropical depression on 16 December and turned north-northwestwards. It re-intensified into a tropical storm and became slow-moving on 17 December. Talas weakened into an area of low pressure on 19 December.
Noru (0429) formed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 570 km east of Guam on 18 December. Moving westwards, it intensified into a tropical storm and tracked north-northwestwards the following day. After passing just to the east of Mariana Islands on 20 December, Noru turned northeastwards and became an extratropical cyclone over the Pacific two days later.
Note: Casualties and damage figures were compiled from press reports.
- Top -