Philippines has Mangkhut struck off typhoon names list
- Extent of death and destruction brought by September’s monster storm sees the name Mangkhut retired
What’s in a name? Bad memories when it comes to typhoons, according to international meteorological experts.
A committee of storm specialists this week endorsed a proposal by the Philippines to remove the name Mangkhut from a list of approved monikers for new storms forming over Asia. The request was made in light of the extent of the destruction and death caused by the monster typhoon last summer.
The body operates under the World Meteorological Organisation and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Its 14 members, representing countries and territories around the region, including Hong Kong, have been meeting in Guangzhou since Tuesday.
Choy Chun-wing, scientific officer at the Hong Kong Observatory, said: “It is common practice that the committee considers retiring the name of a tropical cyclone which has caused great human casualties or economic losses.
“The Philippines requested at the annual session that the name Mangkhut be removed, and the proposal was approved. The name was originally put forward by Thailand, which is now expected to propose a replacement at next year’s session.”
Mangkhut, meaning mangosteen in Thai, replaced the name Durian in 2008 after the latter typhoon killed at least 734 people and left 764 missing in the Philippines.