Attachments
TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARIES FOR 1975
During the year twenty-two tropical cyclones were detected in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea, and eleven attained typhoon intensity. Seven tropical cyclones crossed the coast into China and three into Vietnam. Four tropical cyclones crossed the Philippines and two passed over Taiwan. • Two typhoons struck Japan while Korea was not affected. The monthly distribution of these tropical cyclones is shown in Figure 1 and a brief summary of their tracks is contained in Table 1.
Six tropical cyclones entered Hong Kong's area of responsibility for tropical cyclone warnings for shipping (i.e. the area bounded by 10°N, 30°N, l05°E and I 25°E) while another six developed within this area. Altogether 219 warnings for shipping were issued by the Royal Observatory, Hong Kong to warn these twelve tropical cyclones. Seven of these affected Hong Kong and necessitated the display of tropical cyclone warning signals.
The first tropical cyclone reported in the year was Typhoon Lola which developed near the Caroline Islands on January 23. It moved west-northwestwards into the South China Sea and dissipated off the coast of south Vietnam. No tropical cyclones were reported in the region from February to May.
The tropical depression which developed near the Paracels on June 16 was the only tropical cyclone reported over the region in June. As the tropical depression moved slowly northwestwards towards the Luichow Peninsula, a period of fresh to strong easterly winds accompanied by heavy squally showers were experienced in Hong Kong. The depression crossed the coast of north Vietnam on the morning of June 17 and rapidly dissipated overland near Haiphong.
In July, two tropical cyclones were reported over the western North Pacific. Tropical Storm Mamie developed near the Mariana Islands on July 26 and moved in a northwesterly direction towards the Ryukyu Islands. lt passed about 30 miles to the southwest of Kagoshima on the morning of July 30 and degenerated into an area of low pressure off the coast of Korea. Typhoon Nina developed on the last day of the month about 700 miles east-northeast of Manila and moved slowly northwestwards towards Taiwan. It crossed the southeast coast of China near Amoy and continued to move inland, causing widespread flooding in central China.
A total of five tropical cyclones developed over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in August.
Typhoon Ora formed to the southeast of Taiwan and crossed the east coast of China near Wenchow causing serious floods in central China. Typhoons Phyllis and Rita formed near the Ryukyu Islands and the Caroline Islands respectively; they both moved north and struck Japan, leaving widespread damage and heavy death tolls especially in Shikoku. Tropical Storm Susan formed east of Iwo Jima but dissipated without encountering land. Of these five tropical cyclones, only one tropical depression came near enough for tropical cyclone warning signals to be hoisted in Hong Kong. The tropical depression developed about 220 miles to the south of Hong Kong and moved westwards towards Hainan Island. However, when it reached the southwestern tip of the Island, it turned around and moved northeastwards towards the Pearl River Estuary. The depression passed between Lantau Island and Kowloon and then degenerated into an area of low pressure near Canton.
A total of four tropical cyclones was reported over the western North Pacific in September. Severe Tropical Storm Alice and Typhoon Betty entered the South China Sea and affected Hong Kong. The other two tropical cyclones, Typhoon Tess and Tropical Storm Viola, moved northwards and dissipated east of Japan and southeast of the Ryukyu Islands respectively.
Altogether there were five tropical cyclones in October and three resulted in the hoisting of tropical cyclone warning signals. Typhoon Elsie passed about 27 miles to the south of the Royal Observatory around 2.30 p.m. on October 14. Although storm to hurricane force winds were experienced in Hong Kong, little damage to property was reported.
A total of three tropical cyclones developed over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in November, but none came close enough to threaten Hong Kong. Typhoons Ida and June developed near the Caroline Islands and moved northwards; they both dissipated well to the east of Japan without encountering land. Tropical Storm Helen originated as an area of low pressure to the east of the Philippines. It moved westwards across the South China Sea and dissipated over south Vietnam.
The tropical storm which developed near Nansha Island on December 26, was the only tropical cyclone reported over this region in December. It remained quasi-stationary over the southern part of the South China Sea for about four days and then dissipated near Palawan.