Overview of Tropical Cyclones

Overview of Tropical Cyclones in June 2017

Tuesday, 4th July 2017

 

        One tropical cyclone occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in June 2017.

        Merbok formed as a tropical depression over the central part of the South China Sea about 580 km south of Dongsha in the small hours of 11 June. Moving north-northwestwards, it intensified into a tropical storm that afternoon. Merbok continued to move closer to the coastal areas of Guangdong on 12 June and intensified into a severe tropical storm that night, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. It made landfall over the Dapeng Peninsula before midnight and weakened into a tropical storm. Taking on a north-northeasterly track, Merbok moved across Guangdong on the morning of 13 June and dissipated over Jiangxi in the afternoon.

        According to press reports, Merbok brought heavy rain and squalls to Guangdong with extensive flooding. At least 120 000 people were affected with a direct economic loss reaching 260 million RMB. Electricity supply to more than 45 000 households was interrupted in Shanwei.