Five new names: Penha, Peilou, Narra, Gaenari and Bang-lang, have been introduced to the list of tropical cyclone names in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in 2022 to replace the old names of Vongfong, Linfa, Molave, Goni and Vamco respectively.
The new names were endorsed at the 54th session of the Typhoon Committee, which is under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and the World Meteorological Organization.
The meanings of the five new names and the contributing countries/regions are as follows:
| Name | Meaning | Contributing country/region |
| Penha | Penha Hill is one of the Macao New Eight Scenic Spots | Macao, China |
| Peilou | A common migratory bird in Macao | Macao, China |
| Narra | A species of tree (botanical name: Pterocarpus indicus) | the Philippines |
| Gaenari | A spring flowering shrub with yellow flowers (botanical name: Forsythias) | Korea |
| Bang-lang | A species of flowering tree (botanical name: Lagerstroemia speciosa) | Vietnam |
According to convention, the Typhoon Committee will consider retiring the name of a tropical cyclone which has caused serious casualties and economic losses. In May 2020, Severe Typhoon Vongfong left at least 160 injuries and damaged more than 10 000 houses during its passage across the Philippines. In October 2020, Tropical Storm Linfa brought torrential rain to Vietnam, leading to 148 deaths or missing persons. Severe Typhoon Molave hit the Philippines and Vietnam successively in late October 2020, resulting in at least 50 deaths, 40 injuries and 78 missing. Super Typhoon Goni, the most intense tropical cyclone in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea since Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, directly hit the Philippines in early November 2020 and killed at least 25 persons and damaged over 170 000 houses. In mid-November 2020, Severe Typhoon Vamco brought torrential rain and squalls to the Philippines and Vietnam, leaving at least 102 deaths, 90 injuries and 10 missing.
The updated list of tropical cyclone names and their corresponding meanings is available at the Hong Kong Observatory website (www.hko.gov.hk/en/informtc/sound/tcname2022e.html).
Follow this news feed: East Asia