The Hong Kong Observatory says it is assessing the need for issuing the No 10 hurricane signal, minutes after raising the alert to a No 9 storm warning as Typhoon Wipha is edging its way towards the city.
The No 9 signal was raised at 7.20am on Sunday, seven hours after the first No 8 warning of the year took effect. The forecaster says Wipha’s hurricane winds will be “rather close” to Hong Kong, with the typhoon skirting about 50km to the south of the city around noon. Adverse weather will persist with heavy squally showers during the day.
Following the cancellation of 500 weekend flights, the Airport Authority said 400 could resume in the afternoon at the earliest after the typhoon moved away from the city. It expects that the airport will be “very busy” on Sunday night to disperse up to 100,000 passengers.
Several MTR lines will maintain a limited service, although those on open sections including the Light Rail and Airport Express have been suspended. Most ferry and bus services have also been suspended.
Follow the Post’s updates as Wipha – a woman’s name in Thai meaning “splendour” or “radiance” – bears down on the city.
Reporting by Wynna Wong, Natalie Wong, Oscar Liu, Harvey Kong, Jiang Chuqin and Elizabeth Cheung.
