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New names adopted for tropical cyclones in 2017
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     In 2017, four new names have been added to the list of tropical cyclone names in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea. They are Saudel, Surigae, Koguma and Cempaka, replacing the old names Soudelor, Mujigae, Koppu and Melor respectively. The meanings of these four new names and the contributing countries/regions are set out in the following table:
 
Name Meaning Contributing country/region
Saudel Legendary Pohnpei Chief Soudelor's trusted guard/soldier Micronesia
Surigae A kind of eagle DPR Korea
Koguma Ursa Minor Japan
Cempaka Plant that known for its fragrant flowers Malaysia
 
     The new names were endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific/World Meteorological Organization Typhoon Committee at its 49th session in Yokohama, Japan, in February 2017.
 
     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 August 2015, at least six people were killed and four were missing in Taiwan during the passage of Severe Typhoon Soudelor. In Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Anhui, 21 people were killed, five were missing and about 3.4 million people were affected in the fury of Soudelor. In October 2015, Severe Typhoon Mujigae affected at least 4.6 million people in Guangdong and Guangxi, with direct economic loss amounting to over RMB12 billion. Under the influence of the circulation of Mujigae, Shunde district in Foshan and Panyu district in Guangzhou were affected by tornadoes, resulting in at least six deaths and over 200 injuries.  Super Typhoon Koppu and Severe Typhoon Melor hit the Philippines in October and December 2015 respectively, resulting in at least 27 deaths and evacuation of around 1 million people in total.

     The updated list of tropical cyclone names and their corresponding meanings is available at the Hong Kong Observatory website at www.weather.gov.hk/informtc/sound/tcname2017e.htm.
 
Ends/Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:00
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