Hong Kong issued its highest tropical cyclone warning on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha battered the city, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and the suspension of school classes. The Hong Kong Observatory raised the T10 hurricane alert, warning of winds reaching mean speeds of 118 kilometres per hour or more, which pose a considerable threat to the territory.
As of 10am, Wipha was located approximately 60km south-east of Hong Kong. Huge waves were observed off the eastern coast of Hong Kong Island. The observatory said hurricane-force winds were affecting the southern part of the city due to the storm’s eyewall, urging the public to beware of destructive winds.
Neighbouring regions were also on high alert, with China’s Hainan and Guangdong provinces bracing for impact. The storm was heading towards Macau and the Chinese city of Zhuhai, and was forecast to make landfall late Sunday, continuing westwards towards Vietnam later in the week.
Hundreds of flights were disrupted: the airport authority reported around 500 cancellations and 400 rescheduled flights. Hundreds of people took refuge in government-run temporary shelters. One man sought emergency medical treatment after the storm hit, and officials received more than a dozen reports of fallen trees.
Sunday’s classes were cancelled at all day schools and daycare centres. Local train services were limited, and operations on open sections were suspended. The storm also brought heavy rains and flooding to the Philippines, where two people were reported missing.
