Typhoon Haitang (2005) facts for kids

Typhoon Haitang was a very strong storm that happened in 2005. It was a type of tropical cyclone, which is a big, spinning storm system that forms over warm ocean waters. Haitang caused a lot of damage in several countries, including China, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

What Are Tropical Cyclones?

Tropical cyclones are powerful weather systems. They are known by different names around the world. In the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific, they are called hurricanes. In the northwestern Pacific, like where Haitang formed, they are called typhoons. In other parts of the world, they are simply called cyclones.

These storms get their energy from warm ocean water. When the water is warm enough, it evaporates and rises, creating an area of low pressure. Air from surrounding areas rushes in to fill this space. Because the Earth is spinning, this air starts to rotate, forming a storm. The warmer the water, the stronger the storm can become.

How Typhoons Get Their Names

Typhoons are given names to help people track them. This makes it easier to talk about them and warn people. The names are chosen from a list that is used over and over again. After a typhoon causes a lot of damage, its name might be retired. This means it will not be used again for another storm. This helps avoid confusion and remembers the storm's impact.

Typhoon Haitang's Journey

Typhoon Haitang began as a tropical depression. This is a weak, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms. It formed over the western Pacific Ocean. As it moved over warm waters, it quickly gained strength. It became a tropical storm, then a severe tropical storm, and finally a typhoon.

Haitang reached its strongest point with very high winds. It was a super typhoon, which is the strongest category of typhoon. It had a clear "eye" in its center. The eye is a calm area in the middle of the storm. Around the eye, there is a wall of very intense thunderstorms.

Where Haitang Traveled

Haitang first moved towards Taiwan. It brought heavy rain and strong winds to the island. After crossing Taiwan, it moved into the Taiwan Strait. It then made landfall in mainland China. Even after hitting land, it continued to cause problems. It weakened into a tropical storm and then a tropical depression. However, it still brought a lot of rain.

Impact and Damage

Typhoon Haitang caused significant damage in the countries it affected. The strong winds knocked down trees and power lines. Many homes and buildings were damaged. The heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding. This flooding was a major problem for many communities.

Damage in Taiwan

Taiwan was hit hard by Haitang. The typhoon's strong winds and heavy rains caused landslides. Landslides happen when a lot of soil and rocks slide down a hill. These can be very dangerous. The rain also caused rivers to overflow. This led to severe flooding in many areas. Roads were blocked, and some areas lost electricity. Farmers also lost many crops because of the storm.

Impact in China

After leaving Taiwan, Haitang moved to China. It made landfall in Fujian province. Even though it had weakened, it still brought a lot of rain. This rain caused more flooding. Many people had to leave their homes to stay safe. The storm damaged homes, farms, and infrastructure like roads and bridges. The economic losses were very high.

Effects in Other Countries

Before reaching Taiwan and China, Haitang's outer bands affected the Philippines and Japan. While these countries did not experience a direct hit, they still felt some effects. There were strong waves and some rain. Ships and planes had to be careful or change their routes. These effects were much less severe than in Taiwan and China.

Staying Safe During a Typhoon

When a typhoon is approaching, it is very important to stay safe. Weather services issue warnings to let people know what to expect. People should listen to these warnings. They might need to prepare their homes or even evacuate to a safer place.

• Prepare an emergency kit: This should include water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, flashlights, and batteries.
• Secure your home: Close and board up windows if possible. Bring in anything outside that could blow away.
• Stay indoors: Do not go outside during the storm. Stay away from windows.
• Follow official advice: Listen to local authorities and emergency services. They will tell you what to do.

Typhoon Haitang was a powerful natural event that showed the destructive force of tropical cyclones. Understanding these storms helps us prepare better for the future.