From Typhoon Dim-sum to frogs and snakes: Asia’s cyclones feature unusual names
In a recent addition to the official list of tropical cyclone names in the western North Pacific and South China Sea, "Dim-sum" has been chosen despite its popularity as a delectable snack. A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Observatory in 2023 revealed that "Dim-sum" was the fourth most favored name out of a pool of 20,000 participants.
Other unique names added to the 2026 list include "Gaeguri," a frog from North Korea, "Hoaban," a flower from Vietnam, and "Tirou," a respectful greeting from Micronesia. Japan contributed two names, "Hebi" (snake) and "Tomo" (stern), while Cambodia suggested "Koki," a large tree, and South Korea offered "Narae," meaning the wing of a bird or insect.
Thailand's contribution, "Burapha," translates to East. These culturally-specific names replace previous English storm names, which were used by the US military during World War II, often named after loved ones. Out of the 140 names available, only a few have been retired due to particularly destructive storms.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
