Storms Served Up: Hong Kong Adds Dim-Sum to Typhoon Names

The Pacific typhoon season has introduced a flavorful addition to its storm roster, with Hong Kong officially adding 'Dim-sum' to the list of tropical cyclone names in June. This culinary name joins a diverse collection maintained by the Typhoon Committee, a body formed in 1968 by the UN and World Meteorological Organization. The committee curates 140 names, cycling them every four to five years, drawing from the cultures of its 14 member nations. Storm names reflect a variety of origins, including animals, plants, mythology, and distinctly, food. Recent additions include Korean 'Gaeguri' (frog) and Thai 'Burapha' (east). The system, initially started by U.S. forecasters with female names, evolved to include male names in the 1970s during the gender equality movement. Regional names gained prominence in the 1990s, with some naming processes opening to public submissions. Names are vetted to avoid being indecent or having negative connotations, and cannot be used for public figures. Hong Kong's 'Dim-sum' was a public submission in 2024, chosen for its uncontroversial nature. The committee also retired the name 'Man-yi' this year after the storm caused over a dozen deaths in the Philippines, replacing it with 'Dim-sum.' This practice of retiring names associated with devastating storms ensures that tragic events are not repeatedly invoked.