Schools closed, 500 flights suspended
The Hong Kong authorities have issued an alert for Hurricane wind, the highest level, while the typhoon Wipha approaches the Chinese southern coast, forcing the government to close the schools and cancel about 500 flights.
Wipha was about 60 kilometers south-east of Hong Kong around 10:00 local time (4 in Italy) and continues to strengthen himself while approaching the coast of the Chinese province of Guangdong, said the Hong Kong meteorological observatory. The Observatory has raised the alert to the maximum level, T10, indicating that “Venti from Hurricane” are expected with “average speeds of 118 kilometers per hour or more”.
Even the Chinese provinces of Hainan and Guangdong were put in a alert, according to the official Xinhua press agency.
A representative of the Hong Kong airport authority declared on Sunday that about 500 flights have been deleted due to bad weather, while another 400 will be expected to take off or land late during the day. More than 200 people have sought refuge in the temporary reception centers managed by the government. The local media reported that large waves have been observed off Heng Fa Chuen, a residential area in the eastern part of the island of Hong Kong. The authorities have closed schools and trains are circulating with reduced runs.
Hong Kong raised the level of alert to T10 for the last time in 2023 for the Super Typhoon Sola. Two people were declared dispersed in the Philippines after Typhoon Wipha, according to local authorities.
