KAI-TAK formed as a tropical depression over the South China Sea, west of the Philippines at 00UTC on 4th July and tracked northeastwards along the western coast of Luzon. After reaching off-shore northwestern Luzon, it shifted to move in the northeast direction on 5th July, heading the South China coast. On its way, it intensified into a tropical storm at 18UTC on the same day and further upgraded to a severe tropical storm at 06UTC on the following day. KAI-TAK attained typhoon strength with central pressure of 970hPa and central maximum wind of 121 km/h at 00UTC on 7th July and passed the point of closest approach about 580 km east-southeast of Macau. It then turned south, followed by southeast and finally northeast, making an anti-clockwise loop and leaving the South China Sea towards the Luzon Strait. Record of tropical cyclone signal hoisting:   DATE TIME HOISTED SIGNAL 6 / JUL 23:00 The standby signal No. 1 9 / JUL 06:30 All signals were lowered