Tropical Storm Sanba (2023)

Tropical Storm Sanba was a weak but destructive tropical cyclone which brought heavy rains to Vietnam and South China in mid-October 2023. The sixteenth named storm of the annual typhoon season, the precursor of Sanba formed as a low-pressure area on October 13, west of the Philippines. The system moved north-northwest ward and gradually gaining strength due to favourable atmospheric condition. On October 17, the system intensified to a tropical depression, and became Tropical Storm Sanba the following day. Sanba later re-curved to the north-northeast, striking the western coast of Hainan. On October 20, Sanba decelerated and hit the western coast of the Leizhou Peninsula. The system weakened due to hostile environment and dissipated later that day.

The precursor of Sanba interacted with the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which brought heavy rains to Vietnam, sinking two fishing boats, killing three people and 12 other were missing. Due to its slow-paced movement, Sanba brought strong winds and heavy rains in Hainan and Liangguang region. The storm killed four people and caused a damage of nearly US$800 million in China.