The Hong Kong Meteorological Observatory issued the maximum storm warning (10), the first time since 2018, when Super Typhoon Saola approached the territory, and which should also pass within 50 kilometers of Macao.
With winds averaging nearly 120 kilometers per hour, the storm is expected to pass just 40 kilometers south of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong updated the alert signal less than two hours after issuing level 9, as Macao prepares to raise the alert to the second-highest level on the scale.
The last time the maximum storm warning was issued for Hong Kong was in September 2018, when Super Typhoon Mangkhut passed through.
In Macao, Hong Kong and other coastal cities in mainland China, transport and public services were suspended, as well as the start of the school year, postponed until next week. Operations on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange were suspended and around 460 flights in Hong Kong and more than a hundred in Macao were cancelled.
The mainland Chinese railway authorities suspended all trains entering or leaving Guangdong province until Saturday night, state television CCTV reported.
According to Hong Kong’s meteorological services, Saola is expected to reach the nearest point around midnight, about 40 kilometers south of the commercial area of Tsim Sha Tsui.
Hundreds of people sought refuge in reception centers in Hong Kong and Macao.
In the technology and financial hub of Shenzhen in Guangdong province, the emergency management office has ordered a suspension of work, business activities and public transportation as the typhoon is expected to hit the city or nearby areas today. at night. The use of city roads was prohibited, except for rescue teams.
The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Services (SMG) has already announced that the probability of typhoon signal 9 being issued this afternoon (afternoon in Lisbon) is “high”, the second highest on the alert scale, admitting as ” Moderate” that the chance increases to 10 next Saturday morning.
Borders and traffic on bridges were closed.
The Consulate General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong also announced the temporary closure, until the alert level drops to level 3.
In Macao, the tropical storm warning scale includes signals 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10, the emission of which depends on the proximity of the storm and the intensity of the wind.
Flood warnings have five levels: blue, yellow, orange, red, and black.
In September 2018, Typhoon Mangkhut caused 40 injuries and severe flooding in the territory. A year earlier, Hato caused 10 deaths and 240 injuries.
Source: TSF
