Rain clouds gather over Victoria Harbour after sunset in Hong Kong as the city braces for Super Typhoon Yagi on Sept 5, 2024. - Photo: China Daily
HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Observatory downgraded the typhoon signal to Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 12.40pm on Friday (Sept 6) as Super Typhoon Yagi gradually moved away from the city.
The Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 – which means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometers per hour are expected – will remain in force for some time, the forecaster said in a 12.45pm weather bulletin.
“When the threat posed by Yagi is further reduced, the observatory will issue the Standby Signal, No. 1 or the Strong Monsoon Signal.”
The rains associated with Yagi will still affect the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary on Friday, bringing squally showers to Hong Kong, said the HKO.
Showers will be heavy at times and there will be violent gusts occasionally, it added.
Five people were injured as Yagi, described as an “extremely strong” typhoon, continued to lash Hong Kong on Friday morning with schools suspended, ferry terminals closed, traffic halted and stock trading canceled.
By 10am Friday, Yagi had driven 269 people to the city's 30 temporary shelters set up across districts.
Seventy-nine reports of fallen trees were logged as well as one report of flooding. Five people, including two men and three women, sought treatment at public hospitals.
Before noon, the maximum sustained wind speed recorded at Ngong Ping, Tap Mun and Cheung Chau Beach were 78, 66 and 59 km per hour with maximum gusts exceeding 101, 80 and 75 kilometres, per hour respectively.
Yagi continued to affect multiple areas in Macao, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan, bringing heavy rainfall.
In Macao, strong winds persisted on Friday morning, accompanied by frequent heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Macao will downgrade the weather to signal No. 3 at 2pm on Friday.
The city’s public transport system was adversely impacted in the morning.
MTR announced temporary suspension for its bus services, while the service of subway trains and light rail was limited.
The services would be gradually returned to normal after after the No. 3 signal is hoisted.
Citybus Limited also announced that buses will gradually start plying from 12.40pm while services along some routes suspended owing to bad road conditions.
In accordance with current rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, trading will remain suspended for the entire day. - China Daily/ANN
