Hong Kong is bracing for Typhoon Hato, with hundreds of flights and other transport services cancelled, and schools and most businesses in the financial hub expected to be closed for the better part of the day.
The weather observatory issued its third-highest weather warning early in the morning and said Hato was expected to make landfall at around 100 kilometres to the west of Hong Kong in the afternoon.
‘If Hato edges even closer or intensifies, it will pose considerable threat to Hong Kong. The chance of issuing a higher signal cannot be ruled out,’ it said.
Streets were largely deserted and the observatory warned of serious flooding in low-lying areas as the city battened down for what could be one of its worst storms in years.
Winds intensified in the morning with the maximum sustained winds recorded at Tate’s Cairn and Waglan Island at 77 and 72km/h, with maximum gusts of 103 and 86km/h, respectively.
There will be no trading in Hong Kong’s financial markets on Wednesday morning if the typhoon signal remains at 8 or higher at 9am. Trading will be suspended for the whole day if the storm signal is still at 8 or higher at noon.
The city’s flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, said the storm would ‘severely’ impact flight operations, with the majority of flights to and from Hong Kong to be cancelled.
Source: Typhoon Hato approaches Hong Kong
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