New names adopted for tropical cyclones in 2016

26 May 2016

In 2016, a new name "Bualoi" has been added to the list of tropical cyclone names in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea, replacing "Rammasun".

The new name was endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific/World Meteorological Organization Typhoon Committee at its 48th session in Hawaii in February 2016. "Bualoi", the name of a kind of Thai dessert, was proposed by Thailand to replace Rammasun, which was also proposed by the country.

According to the convention, the Typhoon Committee would consider removing the name of a tropical cyclone which has caused serious human casualties and economic losses. In July 2014, Severe Typhoon Rammasun hit the Philippines and led to at least 98 casualties. Rammasun further intensified into a super typhoon in the South China Sea with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 240 km/h near its centre, making it the most intense tropical cyclone to occur in the South China Sea since record began in 1950. It then wreaked havoc in Hainan Island, western Guangdong and Guangxi. At least 18 people were killed, 37 000 houses collapsed, with 7.4 million people affected. The direct economic loss exceeded RMB26.5 billion. Rammasun also brought rainstorms and mudslides to Yunnan where at least 14 people were killed.

The updated list of tropical cyclone names and their corresponding meanings and pronunciation are available at the Hong Kong Observatory website at http://www.weather.gov.hk/informtc/sound/tcname2016e.htm.