Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Table of contents
Why is Typhoon in the News?
Super Typhoon Ragasa recently struck Taiwan and southern China, causing widespread floods, bridge collapse, and claiming lives. Reports say at least 17 people died in Taiwan when a barrier lake burst under heavy rains triggered by the storm. This dramatic event underscores the urgency of understanding typhoons, their formation, impacts, and how they relate to climate change and disaster management.
Additional Facts:
- On average, 25–30 they form in the Western Pacific every year, making it the most active tropical cyclone basin.
- Countries like China, Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are part of the “Typhoon Belt.”
What is a Typhoon?
A typhoon is a powerful tropical cyclone that develops in the Northwest Pacific Ocean (west of the International Date Line). These storms are similar in nature to hurricanes in the Atlantic and cyclones in the Indian Ocean, but they are regionally named based on where they occur.
Additional Facts:
- The word Typhoon is derived from the Chinese term Tai-Feng, meaning “great wind” or “big storm.”
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) officially uses the term “typhoon” only for systems with sustained wind speeds above 118 km/h.
How Do Typhoons Form?
These are formed when warm ocean water (above 26.5°C), high humidity, and low wind shear combine in the atmosphere. The rising warm air creates low pressure, drawing in surrounding air, which rotates due to the Coriolis Effect, eventually developing into a rotating storm system.
Additional Facts:
- Most typhoons in the Pacific are generated between June and November (typhoon season).
- The Philippine Sea and the waters near Micronesia are the most common typhoon formation zones.
Geographical Impacts of Typhoons?
They not only cause immediate destruction through strong winds and floods but also bring long-term geographical changes in coastal and riverine landscapes. They can lead to soil erosion, delta destruction, landslides, and changes in river courses.
Additional Facts:
- TThey are also linked with storm surges, which can raise sea levels by several meters and flood coastal settlements.
- They contribute significantly to the global water cycle, redistributing heat and moisture.
Which Regions are Most Affected by Typhoons?
The Northwest Pacific Ocean is the most active basin for tropical cyclones. The worst-hit regions are China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, and Vietnam. These countries face annual economic losses worth billions of dollars due to typhoon-related disasters.
Additional Facts:
- The Philippines is hit by nearly 20 tropical cyclones every year, out of which around 5–6 make landfall.
- Japan has developed some of the world’s most advanced early warning systems to mitigate typhoon damage.
Difference Between Typhoon, Cyclone, and Hurricane?
The storm system is the same but is named differently based on its location:
- Typhoon → Northwest Pacific Ocean
- Cyclone → Indian Ocean & South Pacific
- Hurricane → Atlantic & Eastern Pacific
Additional Facts:
- All these storms are classified as tropical cyclones under the WMO.
- The difference is geographical terminology, not physical structure.
How Do Countries Prepare for Typhoons?
Countries in East and Southeast Asia rely on early warning systems, disaster preparedness plans, coastal embankments, and evacuation drills to reduce loss of life. International organizations like the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) provide real-time data and forecasts.
Additional Facts:
- China and Japan have invested in advanced radar and satellite systems for real-time monitoring.
- Philippines’ PAGASA plays a crucial role in typhoon forecasting and disaster management.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between a hurricane, typhoon, and cyclone?
They are the same kind of storm but named based on region: typhoon (NW Pacific), hurricane (Atlantic & NE Pacific), cyclone (Indian Ocean, South Pacific).
Q2. Can a typhoon cross over to other ocean basins?
Rarely. Most dissipate or weaken before crossing large landmasses or straits. Some remnants may re-organize in new basins.
Q3. What causes a typhoon to weaken?
Movement over cool water, wind shear, land interaction, or dry air intrusion weaken storms.
Q4. Is climate change influencing typhoons?
Yes. Warmer oceans supply more energy, and some studies suggest stronger, slower, or wetter typhoons may become more common.
Q5. What is “storm surge” in a typhoon?
An abnormal rise in sea level pushed inland by wind and low pressure, causing coastal flooding.
