Hong Kong could be bracing for typhoon "Dim Sum" in the future, after the designation was added to the list of tropical cyclone names in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea this year.

According to a statement published on Monday by the Hong Kong Observatory, "Dim Sum" was among nine new names introduced to the list, with others including "Koki", "Gaeguri", "Hebi", "Tomo", "Burapha" and "Hoaban".

While "Koki" – which was proposed by Cambodia – refers to the name of a tree there, "Hebi" is the Japanese word for snake.

The forecaster said the new names would replace nine old ones and that they were endorsed by the Typhoon Committee under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the World Meteorological Organization.

Names for tropical cyclones can be reused, but are retired if a storm incurs heavy casualties or economic losses, according to the Observatory.

The retired names include "Trami" and "Kong-rey", a typhoon and a super typhoon in October 2024 that caused nearly 160 deaths and affected 9.6 million people.

Other retired names include "Man-yi", "Usagi" and "Krathon".

Since 2000, the committee's 14 members have been nominating names with local characteristics.

The SAR's nomination of "Dim Sum" came after the Observatory adopted 20 reserve names for tropical cyclones following a public contest, with "Dim Sum", "Milktea", and "Tsing-ma" among the popular choices.


Edited by Aaron Tam