City Shuts Down As Wipha Disrupts Transport Links

The first typhoon signal number 8 of the year virtually shut Hong Kong down as Tropical Storm Wipha edged closer to the city on its way to western Guangdong, severely affecting the transport links.

The observatory, which issued the alert at 1.40pm, said the storm will be at its closest point to the territory in the evening and the number 8 signal is expected to remain in force for most of the day.

After the number 8 signal came into force, the ferry services to outlying islands were suspended. KMB, Long Win Bus, New World First Bus, Citybus and New Lantao Bus said almost all of their services had stopped running by 4pm, as had the tram on Hong Kong Island. By 5pm, the Airport Express was only running at 10-minute intervals.

As the offices closed and bus services dwindled, MTR ramped up the number of trains to help people get home. Their services were reduced to non-peak schedules later.

The Airport Authority said a total of 397 flight were delayed while 22 flights were cancelled by evening.

The observatory said as of 6pm, Wipha was centred about 310 kilometres south-southwest of Hong Kong and forecast to move in a northwesterly direction.

It warned that continued gusts of 110 kilometres an hour or more were already possible in parts of the city.

The storm has also drenched Hong Kong and senior scientific officer, Li Ping-wah, said more than 50 millimetres of rain has been recorded across the city.