PRAPIROON developed as a tropical depression over the Pacific Ocean (16.3°N,122.6°E), east of Philippines around 06UTC on 31st July, with central pressure of 1000Pa and moved north-northwesterly with a speed of 19km/h. It entered South China Sea in the early morning on 1st August and it got into the area where was 800km around Macao. Around 06UTC on that day, PRAOIROON intensified into a tropical storm near 17.0°N,117.7°E, with central pressure of 998hPa and the maximum sustained wind speed near its center reached 65km/h. It took a west-northwesterly track with a speed of 13km/h. 12 hours later, PRAPIROON attained severe tropical storm strength near 17.5°N,116.0°E, with central pressure of 985hPa and the maximum sustained wind speed near its center reached 92km/h. Around 12UTC on 2nd August, PRAPIROON strengthened further into a typhoon about 320km south of Macao, with central pressure of 965hPa and the maximum sustained wind speed near its center reached 121km/h. Further intensification occurred in the early morning on 3rd August, the maximum sustained wind speed near its center recorded 130km/h. The movement became slow. As the same time, it veered in a north direction heading towards western part of South China coast. PRAPIROON made landfall near Yangjiang around 12UTC on 3rd August and turned towards west-northwest. After getting inland, PRAPIROON weakened into a severe tropical storm about 360km(22.0°N,110.0°E) west of Macao at 21UTC on the same day. A further weakness occurred rapidly on 4th August in inland and dissipated finally. Record of tropical cyclone hoisting:   DATE TIME HOISTED SIGNAL 1/Aug 10:30 The standby signal No.1 2/Aug 18:00 The strong wind signal No.3 3/Aug 09:30 The gale signal No. 8SE 4/Aug 04:00 The strong wind signal No.3 4/Aug 15:30 All signals were lowered