Typhoon Wipha swept along the southern coast of China on Sunday, triggering major disruptions to air and rail travel in Hong Kong and surrounding cities.
Airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao canceled or delayed all daytime flights, according to official websites. Some high-speed train services in the region were also suspended as the storm intensified.
The Hong Kong Observatory raised its highest alert level, Hurricane Signal No. 10, as the eye of the typhoon passed just south of the city around midday. Maximum sustained winds reached 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour.
Authorities reported that more than 200 people sought refuge in public shelters. Dozens of fallen trees were reported across the city, and popular attractions including Hong Kong Disneyland shut down for safety.
Typhoon Wipha, which strengthened overnight, was tracking toward Macao and Zhuhai and was expected to make landfall late Sunday. The storm is forecast to continue westward and reach Vietnam later in the week.
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Named by Thailand, Wipha previously passed over the Philippines as a tropical storm, bringing heavy rainfall to Taiwan on Saturday. In the Philippines, the storm worsened monsoon rains, leading to widespread flooding and landslides.
In northern Cagayan province, one person drowned in floodwaters. Officials said more than 370,000 people were affected by the storm, with around 43,000 seeking shelter in evacuation centers or with relatives. Over 400 homes were reported damaged by the storm’s strong winds and rains.
Source: Agency
