Overview of Tropical Cyclones

Overview of Tropical Cyclones in December 2016

Thursday, 5th January 2017

 

        Two tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in December 2016.

        A tropical depression formed off the coast of southern Vietnam about 370 km east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of 12 December. It moved northwest slowly with an estimated sustained wind of 45 km/h near its centre. The tropical depression made landfall over southern Vietnam the next morning and dissipated inland during the day.

        Nock-ten formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 490 km southeast of Yap on the afternoon of 21 December. It moved northwestwards and intensified rapidly. Nock-ten developed into a super typhoon on 24 December, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated wind of 210 km/h near its centre. It took a westerly track across the central part of the Philippines and entered the South China Sea on the afternoon of 26 December. Affected by an intense northeast monsoon, Nock-ten turned southwestwards and dissipated over the central part of the South China Sea the next day.

        According to press reports, at least six people were killed and eight were missing in the Philippines during the passage of Nock-ten. Over 380 000 people were forced to leave their homes.