Four new names have been added to this year's list of tropical cyclone names in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea, the Hong Kong Observatory announced today.

They are Nyatoh, Trases, Mulan and Hinnamnor.

Nyatoh, a name originating from Malaysia, is a tree that grows in tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia, while Trases, from Cambodia, means a woodpecker.

Mulan, from the Mainland, means the magnolia flower. Laos' Hinnamnor is the name of the country's national protected area.

The United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Asia & the Pacific/World Meteorological Organization Typhoon Committee endorsed the names at its 50th session held in Hanoi.

They will replace the old names of Meranti, Sarika, Haima and Nock-ten.

The committee will consider retiring the name of tropical cyclones which have caused serious human casualties and economic losses.

Sixty-three people were injured and at least two people died when Super Typhoon Meranti hit Taiwan in September 2016. Meranti also wreaked havoc on Fujian and Jiangxi provinces resulting in at least 29 deaths and affecting 2.5 million people with the collapse of 18,000 houses.

Super Typhoons Sarika and Haima hit the Philippines within a week in October 2016, resulting in 11 deaths.

In December 2016 at least six people were killed and eight were missing in the Philippines during the passage of Super Typhoon Nock-ten. More than 380,000 people were evacuated from their homes.

Click here for the updated names list.