Tropical Cyclones in 2018 > Review of tropical cyclones in 2018

2.1 Review of tropical cyclones in 2018

2.1.1 Tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific (including the South China Sea)

In 2018, a total of 33 tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific (WNP) and the South China Sea (SCS) bounded by the Equator, 45°N, 100°E and 180°, more than the long-term (1961 - 2010) average figure of around 30. During the year, 13 of the tropical cyclones attained typhoon intensity or above, less than the long-term average (1961 - 2010) of about 15, with seven of them reaching super typhoon intensity (maximum 10-minute wind speed of 185 km/h or above near the centre).

Figure 2.1 shows the monthly frequencies of the occurrence of tropical cyclones in WNP and SCS in 2018.

During the year, 11 tropical cyclones made landfall over China, with three of them crossing the south China coast within 300 km of Hong Kong and two crossed Taiwan. Two tropical cyclones made landfall over the Korean Peninsula, five made landfall over Japan, six traversed the Philippines and four made landfall over Vietnam. With an estimated maximum sustained wind speed of 250 km/h and a minimum sea-level pressure of 900 hPa near their centres (Table 4.1), Super Typhoon Mangkhut (1822) in September and Super Typhoon Yutu (1826) in October (Figure 2.3a and (2.3b) were the most intense tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in 2018.

2.1.2 Tropical cyclones in Hong Kong's area of responsibility

Amongst the 33 tropical cyclones in 2018, 17 of them occurred inside Hong Kong’s area of responsibility (i.e. the area bounded by 10°N, 30°N, 105°E and 125°E), slightly more than the long-term annual average figure of around 16 (Table 2.1). 13 of them developed within Hong Kong’s area of responsibility. Altogether, 393 tropical cyclone warnings to ships and vessels were issued by the Hong Kong Observatory in 2018 (Table 4.2).

2.1.3 Tropical cyclones over the South China Sea

12 tropical cyclones affected SCS bounded by 10°N, 25°N, 105°E and 120°E in 2018, on par with the long-term annual average of around 12. Six of them formed within SCS.

2.1.4 Tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong

In 2018, the typhoon season in Hong Kong started on 5 June when Tropical Depression Ewiniar (1804) skirted past the sea areas east of Hainan Island, necessitating the issuance of the Standby Signal No. 1. The typhoon season ended with the cancellation of all tropical cyclone warning signals on 2 November with Tropical Depression Yutu (1826) lingering over the northeastern part of the South China Sea weakened significantly that day.

Six tropical cyclones affected Hong Kong during 2018 (Figure 2.2), close to the long-term (1961-2010) average of about six in a year (Table 2.2). They were Tropical Storm Ewiniar (1804) in June, Tropical Storm Son-Tinh (1809) in July, Severe Tropical Storm Bebinca (1816) in August, Super Typhoon Mangkhut (1822) and Tropical Storm Barijat (1823) in September, and Super Typhoon Yutu (1826) in October to November. After Hato in 2017, the No.10 Hurricane Signal was issued by the Hong Kong Observatory again during the passage of Mangkhut on 16 September. It was the highest tropical cyclone warning signal issued in 2018. The Signal No. 10 lasted for ten hours which was the second longest duration since World War II, just after the 11 hours of York in 1999. The rest of the five tropical cyclones all necessitated the issuance of the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 in Hong Kong. Moreover, Tropical Storm Son-Tinh (1809) necessitated the issuance of the tropical cyclone warning signals on two separate occasions. Severe Tropical Storm Bebinca (1816) lingered over the seas off the coast of western Guangdong for a rather long time. The tropical cyclone warning signals had been in force for 132 hours and 5 minutes, making it the third longest since 1946.

2.1.5 Tropical cyclone rainfall

Tropical cyclone rainfall (total rainfall recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters from the time when a tropical cyclone comes within 600 km of Hong Kong to 72 hours after it has dissipated or moved more than 600 km away from Hong Kong) in 2018 was 723.7 mm (Table 4.8.1). This accounted for approximately 33.5 % of the year’s total rainfall of 2162.9 mm and was about 1 % below the 1961-2010 long-term average of 728.8 mm.

Severe Tropical Storm Bebinca (1816) brought 236.4 mm of rainfall to the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters (Table 4.8.1) and was the wettest tropical cyclone in 2018.

2.2 Monthly overview

A monthly overview of tropical cyclones in 2018 is given in this section. Detailed reports on tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong, including reports of damage, are presented in Section 3.

Bolaven (1801) formed as a tropical depression near the Philippines about 600 km south-southeast of Manila on the morning on 2 January. It moved west to west-northwestwards across the southern part of the South China Sea. Bolaven intensified into a tropical storm the next day and reached peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. It then started to weaken and finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the sea areas off the southern part of Vietnam on the morning of 4 January.

According to press reports, torrential rain and squalls brought by Bolaven caused severe flooding and landslides in the Philippines, leaving at least three people dead.

Sanba (1802) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 360 km south-southwest of Yap on the morning on 11 February. It moved west to west-northwestwards towards the southern part of the Philippines. Sanba intensified into a tropical storm in the small hours of 13 February and reached peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. It weakened into a tropical depression that night, before finally degenerating into an area of low pressure over the Sulu Sea on the night of 14 February.

According to press reports, torrential rain and squalls brought by Sanba caused severe flooding and landslides in the Philippines, leaving at least 14 people dead.

Jelawat (1803) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 430 km southeast of Yap on the afternoon of 25 March. It intensified into a tropical storm the next day and moved northwestwards. Jelawat turned northwards on 27 March and slowed down on 29 March, drifting eastwards and continuing to develop. Jelawat turned northeastwards the next day and attained super typhoon intensity, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 195 km/h near its centre. It subsequently weakened rapidly while tracking eastwards. It finally dissipated over the western North Pacific southeast of Iwo Jima on 1 April.

No tropical cyclone formed over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in May 2018.

Ewiniar (1804) formed as a tropical depression over the southern part of the South China Sea about 510 km south of Xisha on the night of 2 June and moved north-northwestwards. Ewiniar turned to move north to north-northeastwards on 4 June and skirted past the sea areas east of Hainan Island the next day. Slowing down and intensifying into a tropical storm on 6 June, it lingered and made a loop east of Leizhou Peninsula and the northeastern part of Hainan Island. Ewiniar reached its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 75 km/h near its centre on the morning of 7 June and started to move steadily north-northeastwards, making landfall near Yangjiang across the coast of western Guangdong that night. It weakened gradually and finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the inland areas of Guangdong on the night of 8 June.

According to press reports, Ewiniar brought torrential rain to Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Hunan, with flooding and landslides reported in many places. At least five people were killed and over 210 000 people were affected.

Maliksi (1805) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 760 km east-northeast of Manila on the early morning of 8 June. It moved north-northwestwards at first and intensified gradually. Maliksi then turned to the northeast towards the sea areas south of Japan the next day. It developed into a severe tropical storm that night, reaching its peak intensity on the morning of 10 June with an estimated sustained wind of 110 km/h near its centre. Maliksi finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas east of Japan on 12 June.

Gaemi (1806) formed as a tropical depression over the northeastern part of the South China Sea about 180 km southwest of Gaoxiong on 14 June. It moved northeastwards and swept across the southern part of Taiwan the next day. Gaemi intensified into a tropical storm near Okinawa on 16 June, reaching its peak intensity that night with an estimated sustained wind of 75 km/h near its centre and evolving into an extratropical cyclone over the seas south of Japan the next day.

According to press reports, electricity supply to around 13,500 households was interrupted and two oil tankers went aground near Gaoxiong during the passage of Gaemi over Taiwan. Gaemi caused extensive flooding and landslides in Okinawa and at least two persons were injured.

Prapiroon (1807) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 750 km south-southeast of Okinawa on the early morning of 29 June. It tracked generally north-northwestwards and intensified gradually. Prapiroon turned north to northeastwards on 1 July and intensified into a typhoon on the morning of 2 July, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 120 km/h near its centre. Prapiroon started to weaken afterwards, before finally evolving into an extratropical cyclone over the sea areas north of Honshu, Japan on 4 July.

According to press reports, at least four people were injured in Okinawa during the passage of Prapiroon. It also brought squalls and heavy rain to Kyushu and Shikoku of Japan, leaving one dead and 16 injured, and electricity supply to over 50,000 households interrupted in Kyushu. At least one people was killed and one was missing in the Republic of Korea during the passage of Prapiroon.

Maria (1808) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 430 km southeast of Guam on the night of 3 July. It tracked generally northwestwards and intensified rapidly. It developed into a super typhoon on the morning of 6 July and reached its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 220 km/h near its centre on the morning of 9 July. Maria swept across the sea areas to the south of Okinawa and then north of Taiwan and started to weaken gradually. Maria made landfall over the coast of Fujian on the morning of 11 July and dissipated over Jiangxi the next day.

According to press reports, at least one people was killed and eight were injured in Taiwan during the passage of Maria. Electricity supply to around 126,000 households were interrupted. In Fujian and Zhejiang, at least one person was killed, nine were missing and 550,000 people were affected during the passage of Maria. There were backflow of sea water in many places.

Son-Tinh (1809) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 650 km northeast of Manila on the morning of 16 July and moved quickly westwards across the Luzon Strait on that day. It continued to move at a fast pace after entering the northern part of the South China Sea on 17 July. Son-Tinh intensified into a tropical storm before noon, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 85 km/h near the centre on the early morning of 18 July. After moving across Hainan Island and Beibu Wan, Son-Tinh degenerated into an area of low pressure over the northern part of Vietnam on 19 July and its remnant continued to track westward further inland on that day. The low pressure area associated with the remnant of Son-Tinh made a sharp turn to the east over the Indo-China and moved towards Beibu Wan on 20 July. It re-intensified into a tropical depression over Beibu Wan on 22 July and took a northeasterly track, sweeping across the northwestern part of Hainan Island. Son-Tinh then turned north and moved across Leizhou Peninsula on 23 July, before dissipating over Guangxi on 24 July.

According to press reports, Son-Tinh greatly disrupted the traffic of Hainan Island during its passage. Son-Tinh and its remnant also brought torrential rain to Vietnam. At least 32 people were killed, 17 were reported missing and more than 5,000 houses collapsed.

Ampil (1810) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 800 km south-southeast of Okinawa on the night of 18 July and moved slowly at first. It intensified into a tropical storm the next day and took on a northwest course towards the East China Sea. Ampil further intensified into a severe tropical storm on the night of 20 July, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. It moved across the vicinity of Jiangsu and weakened on 22 July. Ampil continued to sweep across Shandong and Hebei the next day, before evolving into an extratropical cyclone over the northeastern part of China on 24 July.

According to press reports, at least one people was killed in China during the passage of Ampil. Near 1.8 million people were affected with a direct economic loss around 1.19 billion RMB.

A tropical depression formed over the western North Pacific about 390 km southeast of Dongsha on 21 July. It tracked northeastwards across the Luzon Strait, heading towards the seas east of Taiwan. The tropical depression reached its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 55 km/h near its centre on the early morning of 22 July. It then turned to move northwards and weakened into an area of low pressure over the East China Sea the next day.

Wukong (1811) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 890 km northwest of Wake Island on the night of 22 July. Tracking generally northwards, it intensified gradually. Wukong intensified into a severe tropical storm on 25 July, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 105 km/h near its centre. It finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas east of Japan on 26 July.

Jongdari (1812) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 690 km southwest of Iwo Jima on 25 July. Moving generally northeastward, it intensified gradually and became a typhoon on the night of 26 July. Jongdari reached its peak intensity on the morning of 27 August with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 140 km/h near its centre. It moved across the southern part of Honshu, and then the northern part of Kyushu of Japan on 29 July, and weakened into a tropical storm. Jongdari made an anti-clockwise loop over the seas south of Kyushu in the next two days and then moved across the East China Sea on a south-southwesterly course. Jongdari made a sharp turn to the north on the morning of 2 August and then picked up speed towards the west. It made landfall over the coast of Shanghai on 3 August during the day, moved inland and weakened into an area of low pressure over Jiangsu at night.

According to press reports, at least 24 people were injured and over 400 flights were cancelled in Japan during the passage of Jongdari. Electricity supply to more than 150,000 households was interrupted.

Shanshan (1813) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 880 km east-northeast of Guam on the night of 2 August and tracked westwards at first. It intensified gradually and started to track north-northwestwards towards Japan on 3 August. Shanshan developed into a typhoon on 4 August, reaching its peak intensity on 7 August with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 145 km/h near its centre. Shanshan weakened gradually afterwards and skirted past the coastal areas of Kanto region on 9 August, and turned to move northeastwards. It evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the sea areas east of Japan the next day. According to press reports, at least six people were injured in Japan during the passage of Shanshan.

Yagi (1814) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 980 km southeast of Okinawa on 7 August and moved slowly at first. It intensified into a tropical storm the next day and turned to move towards Okinawa in the following few days. After sweeping across the sea areas south of Okinawa, Yagi moved across the East China Sea on a northwesterly course and reached its peak intensity on the afternoon of 12 August with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 85 km/h near its centre. After making landfall over the coast of Zhejiang, Yagi moved inland and weakened. It finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over Shandong on 16 August.

According to press reports, Yagi left at least two deaths during its passage over eastern China.

Bebinca (1816) formed as a tropical depression over the northern part of the South China Sea about 540 km southwest of Hong Kong. Moving slowly northwards, it made landfall near Yangjiang of the western Guangdong around noon on 11 August. Bebinca then made an anti-clockwise loop over the coastal region of western Guangdong and moved back to the coastal waters that night. After drifting southeastwards on 12 August, Bebinca intensified into a tropical storm and looped slowly in anti-clockwise direction off the coast of western Guangdong on 13 and 14 August. Bebinca picked up speed to move west-southwestwards and intensified into a severe tropical storm on 15 August, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/hr near its centre. It moved across Beibu Wan the next day. Bebinca made landfall over the northern part of Vietnam and weakened into an area of low pressure inland on 17 August.

According to press reports, Bebinca brought torrential rain and squalls to Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. At least three people were killed and 2 were reported missing. Bebinca also caused extensive flooding and landslides in Vietnam during its passage, killing at least 10 people with another three missing.

Leepi (1815) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 560 km south-southeast of Iwo Jima on the night of 11 August. It tracked northwestward and intensified gradually. Leepi developed into a severe tropical storm on 13 August, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. Leepi swept across Kyushu of Japan on 15 August and then weakened into an area of low pressure over the seas south of the Korean Peninsula.

According to press reports, Leepi brought torrential rain and squalls to Kyushu of Japan. One person fell into the sea under strong wind and suffered from serious injury.

Originating from the eastern North Pacific, tropical storm Hector (1817) crossed the International Date Line and entered the western North Pacific on the small hours of 14 August, with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 75 km/h near its centre. Moving west-northwestwards, Hector continued to weaken and dissipate over sea the next day.

Rumbia (1818) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 90 km north-northwest of Okinawa on the morning of 15 August, and developed into a tropical storm that afternoon. It generally took on a northwest or west-northwesterly course across the East China Sea. Rumbia reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 85 km/h near its centre on the night of 16 August. After making landfall over the coast of Shanghai on the morning of 17 August, Rumbia moved inland on a west-northwesterly course and weakened gradually. It finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over Henan the next night.

According to press reports, at least 22 people were killed and seven were missing in eastern and central China during the passage of Rumbia. More than 10 million people were affected, with a direct economic loss of about five billion RMB.

Soulik (1819) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 190 km northwest of Guam on the night of 16 August. It generally took on a northerly track and intensified gradually. Soulik intensified into a severe typhoon over the sea areas west of Iwo Jima on the night of 18 August and turned to move west-northwestwards. It reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 165 km/h near its centre the next morning. Soulik swept across the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea afterwards and weakened gradually. It turned to track northeastwards, weakened into a severe tropical storm during the night of 23 August and moved across the Korean Peninsula. Soulik evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas north of Honshu, Japan the next night.

According to press reports, one people was swept away by freak waves and reported missing and two others were injured in the Republic of Korea during the passage of Soulik. At least one person was injured and electricity supply to over 20 000 households was interrupted on the island of Amami Oshima, Japan during the passage of Soulik.

Cimaron (1820) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 060 km east of Guam on the morning of 18 August. It took on a northwesterly track in the direction of the sea areas south of Japan and intensified gradually. Cimaron developed into a severe typhoon on 22 August, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 165 km/h near its centre. After skirting over Shikoku and then moving across the western part of Honshu, Japan on the night of 23 August, Cimaron finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas north of Honshu, Japan the next day.

According to press reports, Cimaron brought torrential rain and squalls to Japan with unleashed landslides, leaving at least three deaths and 22 injuries. Electricity supply to about 100 000 households was interrupted.

Originating in the northeastern part of the South China Sea, an area of low pressure near Taiwan developed into a tropical depression about 40 km north of Gaoxiong on the morning on 23 August with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 55 km/h near its centre. The tropical depression moved slowly and lingered around western Taiwan on that day. It swept across the Taiwan Strait on a northwesterly course on 24 August and made landfall over the coast of Fujian on the morning of 25 August. The tropical depression weakened into an area of low pressure over inland Fujian during the day.

According to press reports, torrential rain and squalls brought by the tropical depression triggered extensive flooding in Taiwan. At least seven people were killed and 119 people were injured.

Jebi (1821) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 520 km east of Guam on the night of 27 August. It tracked northwestwards at first and intensified rapidly. Jebi intensified into a typhoon on 29 August and turned to move westwards. It further developed into a super typhoon on 31 August, reaching its peak intensity on the morning of 1 September with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 230 km/h near its centre. Jebi’s track turned gradually from northwestwards to northwards and edged closer to the sea areas south of Japan in the next two days when it weakened into a severe typhoon. It swept across the eastern part of Shikoku, Osaka Bay and Kansai of Honshu during the day of 4 September. It evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas west of Hokkaido the next day.

According to press reports, the torrential rain and squalls brought by Jebi wreaked havoc to Japan, with at least 11 people killed, 680 people injured. Electricity supply to more than 2 million households was interrupted. Record-breaking water levels were registered in the vicinity of Osaka because of the severe storm surge induced by Jebi, resulting in serious flooding over the coastal regions. The Kansai international airport was fully closed for three days because of serious inundation, forcing over 5 000 passengers to stay at the airport.

Tropical depression Mangkhut (1822) formed over the western North Pacific about 2 330 km east of Guam on 7 September. Moving westwards rapidly, it intensified gradually in the following few days. Mangkhut developed into a super typhoon on 11 September. It turned to move northwest on 14 September, reaching its peak intensity before making landfall over Luzon with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 250 km/h near the centre. Mangkhut weakened after crossing the northern part of Luzon and continued to track northwestwards quickly across the northern part of the South China Sea, edging towards the coast of Guangdong. Mangkhut weakened into a severe typhoon on the morning of 16 September and made landfall over the vicinity of Taishan of Guangdong before dusk. It then moved into western part of Guangdong and weakened further. Mangkhut degenerated into an area of low pressure over Guangxi the next night.

According to press reports, Mangkhut brought torrential rain and squalls to Luzon. There were at least 82 deaths, 138 injuries and two missing. Around 15 000 houses were collapsed. Mangkhut brought damaging winds and severe storm surge to the coast of Pearl River estuary, leading to damages of many buildings and coastal structures, as well as serious inundation of low lying areas. In Macao, 40 people were injured and more than 5 500 people were evacuated. There were a number of reports of building damages. The water level of Inner Harbour once went up to 1.9 metres or higher. At least six people were killed and more than 3.3 million were affected in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Guizhou and Yunnan.

Barijat (1823) formed as a tropical depression over the sea areas about 200 km southeast of Gaoxiong on the morning of 10 September and moved generally westwards across the northern part of the South China Sea. It intensified into a tropical storm on 11 September and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 85 km/h near its centre the next night. Barijat moved across Leizhou Peninsula and weakened on 13 September. It dissipated over inland Guangxi in that evening. According to press reports, 40 000 people were evacuated in Maoming and Zhanjiang during the passage of Barijat.

Trami (1824) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 320 km northwest of Guam on the night of 21 September. It tracked generally west-northwestwards and intensified rapidly. Trami developed into a typhoon on 23 September and further intensified into a super typhoon the next day, reaching its peak intensity in the small hours of 25 September with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 220 km/h near its centre. Trami turned to move slowly on a north-northeasterly course on the night of 25 September and started to weaken. It moved towards the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands gradually in the following days. After skirting past Okinawa on 29 September, Trami took on a northeast course towards Honshu of Japan. It skirted past Honshu of Japan during the night of 30 September and evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the northern part of Honshu the next day.

According to press reports, Trami left at least five deaths with one missing and 200 injured during its passage to Japan. Electricity supply to more than 1.3 million households was interrupted. Transportation services in Japan were paralyzed, affecting more than 100 000 passengers.

Kong-rey (1825) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 370 km south-southeast of Guam on the early morning of 29 September. Moving west-northwestwards, it intensified rapidly. Kong-rey developed into a typhoon on the night of 30 September and further intensified into a super typhoon the next night, reaching its peak intensity on the morning of 2 October with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 230 km/h near its centre. It started to weaken on 3 October and continued to move towards the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands. Kong-rey moved across Jeju and the southern part of the Korean Peninsula on 5 and 6 October. It finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone in the vicinity of Hokkaido on 7 October.

According to press reports, Kong-rey brought torrential rain and squalls to Japan, with at least one people killed and 10 people injured. Electricity supply to more than 40 000 households was interrupted in Okinawa and Kagoshima Prefectures. At least two people were killed and one was missing in the Republic of Korea during the passage of Kong-rey, and electricity supply to more than 60 000 households was interrupted.

Yutu (1826) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 620 km east-southeast of Guam on the afternoon of 21 October. Tracking generally northwestwards, it intensified rapidly. Yutu developed into a super typhoon on 24 October, reaching its peak intensity the next day with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 250 km/h near its centre. Yutu turned to move west to west-southwestwards on 26 and 27 October and started to weaken gradually. After moving across Luzon on 30 October, Yutu entered the central part of the South China Sea and weakened into a typhoon. Yutu further weakened into a severe tropical storm on the next day and turned to move northwestwards across the northeastern part of the South China Sea. Yutu moved northwards slowly on 1 November and weakened into a tropical storm that night. Under the influence of the dry northeast monsoon over southern China, Yutu further weakened into a tropical depression the next day and lingered over the northeastern part of the South China Sea. It finally weakened into an area of low pressure at night.

According to press reports, Yutu left at least 2 deaths and 133 injured during its passage to Saipan. Electricity supply for many places was interrupted. Yutu also brought torrential rain and squalls to the northern part of the Philippines which triggered landslides and flooding, killing at least 20 people.

Toraji (1827) formed as a tropical depression over the southern part of the South China Sea about 550 km east of Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of 17 November. With an estimated maximum sustained wind of 55 km/h near its centre, Toraji moved on a northwesterly track in the direction of the southern part of Vietnam. It made landfall over the southern part of Vietnam on the afternoon of the next day and weakened into an area of low pressure rapidly. According to press reports, at least 19 people were killed in Vietnam during the passage of Toraji.

Usagi (1829) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 940 km east-southeast of Manila on the morning of 20 November. It tracked westwards and moved across the southern part of the Philippines. Usagi crossed the southern part of the South China Sea on 22 November. It intensified into a tropical storm the next day and turned to move on a west-southwesterly course. Usagi further intensified into a severe tropical storm on 24 November and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. It changed its course to move northwestwards on 25 November. Usagi made landfall over the southern part of Vietnam during the day and weakened gradually. It finally weakened into an area of low pressure over the southern part of Vietnam on the early morning of 26 November.

According to press reports, Usagi brought torrential rain and flooding to the Philippines, with at least one people killed. In Vietnam, the flooding brought by Usagi also killed at least two people.

Man-yi (1828) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 420 km southeast of Guam on the night of 20 November. Tracking west-northwestwards, it intensified gradually. Man-yi developed into a typhoon on 22 November and turned to move northwards the next day, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 145 km/h near its centre. It moved slowly and lingered over the seas east of Luzon in the following two days. Man-yi turned to track northwestwards and weakened rapidly on 26 November, before finally weakening into an area of low pressure over the western North Pacific on the early morning of 27 November.

A tropical depression formed over the western North Pacific about 1 630 km east-southeast of Manila on the night of 25 December. It took on a west to west-northwesterly track in the direction of the central part of the Philippines with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 55 km/h near its centre. After crossing the central part of the Philippines on 29 December, the tropical depression turned to move southwestwards and degenerated into an area of low pressure the next morning.

According to press reports, the tropical depression brought torrential rain to the Philippines and triggered landslides, leaving 156 deaths, 26 missing and 105 injuries.

Pabuk (1901) formed as a tropical depression over the southern part of the South China Sea about 690 km east-southeast of Hochiminh on the afternoon of 31 December 2018 and tracked west-southwestwards in the direction of the seas south of Vietnam. It turned to move westwards on 2 January 2019. Pabuk intensified into a tropical storm and moved across the Gulf of Thailand the next day. It reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 85 km/h near its centre on the small hours of 4 January. Pabuk moved across the Malay Peninsula that night and weakened. After entering the Andaman Sea the next day, it further weakened into a tropical depression. Pabuk finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the Bay of Bengal on 7 January.

According to press reports, Pabuk brought heavy rain to Vietnam, leaving at least one death and six injuries. According to the Thai Meteorological Department, Pabuk was the first tropical cyclone making landfall over Thailand in January since record began in 1951. The torrential rain and squalls brought by Pabuk triggered flooding and landslides in Thailand, killing at least eight people. There was also one death report in Malaysia during the passage of Pabuk.

Note: Casualties and damage figures were compiled from press reports.