Future typhoons: fewer in numbers but stronger in intensity, warns Leung Wing-mo

The number of typhoons may decrease in the future but the proportion of strong typhoons is expected to increase, said former assistant director of Hong Kong Observatory Leung Wing-mo. 

This year, the Observatory has issued 12 tropical cyclone warning signals, the highest number recorded since 1946.  Speaking at a radio program on Sunday morning, Leung stressed that the number of warnings does not necessarily indicate danger. 

Most warnings issued this year were Standby Signal No. 1, with only a few bringing significant threats and there were no fatalities during the typhoon periods, he said. 

Leung said that scientific consensus suggests while the number of tropical cyclones may decline, the occurrence of super typhoons will rise. This means strong winds will persist longer and produce more rainfall, leading to greater destruction and damage. 

When Super Typhoon Ragasa hit the city in September, some citizens were swept away by waves while watching the storm, and several coastal restaurants suffered damage from the surging waves. 

Leung pointed out that overtopping waves occur during typhoons, where waves go over coastal barriers. 

Simply taping the windows is not enough to protect against wave damage, restaurants near the coast should install wooden planks and the government should build breakwaters, he added. 

Leung further explained that future stronger typhoons will result in more pronounced storm surges, worsening flooding conditions.

Meanwhile, rising sea levels due to global warming and the melting of glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica will further intensify flooding issues. 

He noticed that while the Observatory has now issued Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 earlier and longer in time, some citizens misinterpret this and blame the official for issuing the signal when the wind speeds are not yet severe enough. 

Leung clarified that issuing signals does not mean that winds have immediately reached gale force, rather, early warning aims to provide citizens ample time to prepare.

He urged the public to rely on official information from the Observatory and not to believe rumors circulating in the community.