became tropical storms and were named, of which 17 became typhoons. The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1. The season ended late in the year after Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25. During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, with eight striking the Philippines, eight moving into China, six moving into Vietnam, and three striking Taiwan and China. A total of over 2,400 people perished during the season. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected Taiwan, South Korea and mainland China, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms — Russ and Sharon — caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line. Hong Kong received 28 percent of its annual rainfall from tropical cyclones this season, which was slightly above normal. Systems Tropical Depression 01W (Akang) The first tropical depression of the year was first observed as a poorly organized area of clouds, within a trough of low pressure near the Caroline Islands during January 1. The system subsequently moved towards the north-northwest, while atmospheric convection surrounding the system organized further. As a result of this organization and a weather station on Chuuk island reporting wind speeds of , the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system during January 2. However the system did not become a significant tropical cyclone during January 3, as it was not able to sustain its convective organization. The system was subsequently classified as a tropical depression on January 4 while the system was about , west of Yap. Tropical Depression 01W made landfall on Samar Island in the Philippines on the evening of January 5, following which the depression started to weaken. The final warning was issued early on January 6 after the system lost all its deep convection. A total of 35 to 45 deaths were reported, with over 69 million Philippine pesos (1994 pesos) or $2.4