PAGASA retires eight tropical cyclone names for severe impact

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has officially retired eight tropical cyclone names due to their significant destruction in the country.

According to a press release posted by PAGASA on Facebook, Administrator Nathaniel T. Servando announced the removal of the names Aghon, Enteng, Julian, Kristine, Leon, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito from the domestic list of tropical cyclones that form within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). This makes 2024 the year with the highest number of decommissioned names since the current naming scheme began in 2001.

A tropical cyclone name is decommissioned if it results in at least 300 fatalities or causes at least P1 billion in damages to homes, agriculture, and infrastructure, as verified by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). However, PAGASA explained that all cyclones contributing to the widespread devastation caused by successive typhoons in late 2024 were also retired, even if they did not individually meet these thresholds.

To replace the decommissioned names, PAGASA will introduce the following new names from its reserved list starting 1 January 2028: Amuyao, Edring, Josefa, Kidul, Lekep, Nanolay, Onos, and Puwok.