TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2005

Damrey was the first tropical cyclone to necessitate the issuance of Strong Wind Signal No. 3 in 2005.

Damrey developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific about 310 km east-northeast of Baguio in the early morning of 21 September. It moved northwestwards and intensified into a tropical storm before skirting the northeastern tip of Luzon that morning. During the passage of Damrey, at least 18 people were killed in the Philippines where about 20000 people had to flee their homes.

On 22 September, Damrey entered the northern part of the South China Sea. Heading generally westward in the direction of Hainan, it intensified into a typhoon two days later. After making landfall on eastern Hainan on 26 September, Damrey rampaged through the province. The adverse weather and storm surge brought by Damrey inflicted widespread damage in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Altogether, 21 people were killed and nine million people or more were affected in the three provinces. In addition, about 30000 houses collapsed and over 1.03 million hectares of farmland were damaged. The direct economic loss was approximately RMB 12.1 billion.

Damrey made landfall a second time over northern Vietnam on 27 September and dissipated over northern part of Laos the next day. In Vietnam landslides and floods triggered by Damrey caused some 100 deaths or injuries, over 1000 houses to collapse, and around 100000 hectares of farmland flooded.

In Hong Kong, the Standby Signal No. 1 was issued at 10.40 a.m. on 22 September when Damrey was 710 km to the east-southeast of Hong Kong. With Damrey edging closer to Hong Kong, the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was issued at 8.40 a.m. on 24 September. Subsequently, winds strengthened and showers set in as Hong Kong began to come under the influence of Damrey's outer rainbands.

The lowest hourly sea-level pressure of 1002.7 hPa was recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on 23 September. Damrey was closest to Hong Kong at around 8 a.m. on 24 September when it was centred about 290 km to the south-southeast. As Damrey moved away, all tropical cyclone warning signals were cancelled at 8.20 a.m. on 26 September. The rainbands of Damrey affected Hong Kong for several days. More than 200 millimetres of rainfall were recorded at the Observatory Headquarters.

During the passage of Damrey, three people were hit and injured by fallen objects in Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui and Yuen Long. Road flooding occurred at Wong Tai Sin. Several cases of fallen trees and signboards, and loosened scaffolding were reported.

Information on wind, rainfall and tide during the passage of Damrey is given in Tables 3.3.1-3.3.3. Figures 3.3.1-3.3.3 show the track of Damrey, rainfall distribution in Hong Kong and cloud imagery respectively.

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