Sandy's Asian Sisters: Five Superstorms You May Have Missed

Worldcrunch

As Sandy pummels the United States, the Pacific typhoon season has been well underway on the other side of the world, resulting in some 500 deaths and $3.36 billion in total damages in Asia. Take a look at the five storms that you may have missed:

1. Typhoon Khanun
In mid-July, Typhoon Khanun swept over the Korean peninsula, killing 89 and causing $11.4 million in damages. Flooding left 63,000 homeless in North Korea, according to state news agencies.

2. Typhoon Saola and Typhoon Damrey
In early August, eastern China was staring down two powerful typhoons that caused 96 deaths and more than $700 million in damages.

3. Typhoon Haikui
Soon after Saola and Damrey, Typhoon Haikui came hurtling towards Shanghai, with winds exceeding 150kmh. Coastal infrastructure was decimated and 105 people died.

4.Typhoon Tembin and Typhoon Bolaven
In late August, Typhoon Tembin and Typhoon Bolaven ravaged the Pacific Asian nations with Bolaven killing 88 people, around 50 of which were in North Korea.

5. Typhoon Son-Thin
The worst may still not be over. At the time of Sandy, Typhoon Son-Thin was hurtling its way across the Philippine islands and headed towards Vietnam and China's southern coast, leaving 32 deaths in its wake. The typhoon has left thousands stranded.