Super Typhoon Doksuri Forms in the West Pacific, to Strike China on Friday



A powerful typhoon is swirling across the West Pacific, threatening to bring strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges to several countries in East Asia. Super Typhoon Doksuri, also known as Egay in the Philippines, is the strongest storm to form in the region this year, with maximum sustained winds of 223 km/h (138 mph) as of Tuesday, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Doksuri is expected to make landfall on the Chinese mainland somewhere between Fujian and Guangdong provinces on Friday, according to China's National Meteorological Information Centre. The storm could cause widespread damage to coastal areas, as well as inland regions where crops are vulnerable to flooding and landslides.

How Doksuri Became a Super Typhoon

Doksuri originated as a tropical depression in the western Pacific Ocean on Sunday, July 23. It quickly intensified into a tropical storm and then a typhoon as it moved westward towards the Philippines. On Monday, it reached super typhoon status, which is equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

The storm's rapid intensification was fueled by several factors, such as warm sea surface temperatures, low wind shear, and high moisture content in the atmosphere. Doksuri also benefited from a favorable position near the center of a subtropical ridge, which provided steering and ventilation for the storm.

The Impact of Doksuri on the Philippines, Taiwan, and China

Doksuri is currently approaching Luzon, the largest and most populous island of the Philippines. It is expected to hit the northeastern tip of the island on Tuesday, bringing up to 25 cm (10 inches) of rainfall. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has raised storm warning levels in several provinces and advised residents in highly susceptible areas to follow evacuation orders and other instructions from local officials.

The storm will then continue its westward course towards the South China Sea, where it could maintain its strength or even intensify further. Doksuri poses a potential threat to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and parts of southern China later this week. However, the exact track and intensity of the storm are still uncertain, as they depend on various factors such as the interaction with land masses and other weather systems.

Taiwan has already canceled some of its annual military drills for safety reasons and stepped up preparations for what could be the most damaging typhoon to hit the island in nearly four years. The Central Weather Bureau has issued sea and land warnings for southern Pingtung county and urged communities to brace for heavy rains and strong winds.

China has also urged fishing boats to seek shelter and farmers to speed up their harvest preparations as Doksuri approaches. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs warned that Doksuri could go deep inland after landing, affecting high-stalk crops such as corn and even rice in rural areas.

How to Stay Safe and Informed

As Doksuri approaches East Asia, it is important to stay alert and follow the latest updates from official sources. Here are some useful links to monitor the storm's progress and impact:

- [JTWC](^1^): The US military agency that provides warnings for tropical cyclones in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- [PAGASA](^2^): The Philippine weather agency that issues bulletins and advisories for tropical cyclones affecting the country.
- [CWB](^3^): The Taiwanese weather agency that provides forecasts and warnings for typhoons affecting the island.
- [NMIC](^4^): The Chinese weather agency that publishes information and alerts for typhoons affecting mainland China.
- [HKO](^5^): The Hong Kong weather agency that issues signals and bulletins for tropical cyclones affecting the city.

Super Typhoon Doksuri is a dangerous storm that requires vigilance and preparedness from all those in its path. We hope that everyone stays safe and takes appropriate measures to protect themselves and their loved ones from this natural disaster.

Source

(1) Powerful typhoon Doksuri lashes east Asia. https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idsAKM?now=true.
(2) Powerful typhoon Doksuri lashes Philippines, threatens Taiwan, China. https://indianexpress.com/article/world/powerful-typhoon-doksuri-lashes-philippines-taiwan-china-8861210/.
(3) Doksuri super typhoon to hit Chinese mainland this week | WION Climate Tracker. https://www.wionews.com/videos/doksuri-super-typhoon-to-hit-chinese-mainland-this-week-wion-climate-tracker-619587.
(4) Super typhoon Doksuri (Egay) moves toward the Philippines | CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/24/asia/typhoon-doksuri-philippines-taiwan-hong-kong-china-intl-hnk/index.html.
(5) China, Philippines and Taiwan brace for Super Typhoon Doksuri. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/25/china-philippines-and-taiwan-brace-for-super-typhoon-doksuri.
(6) Philippines orders evacuations ahead of Super Typhoon Doksuri. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-orders-evacuations-ahead-of-super-typhoon-doksuri.

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