No 8 Signal Extended Until Noon As Chaba Skirts HK

The Observatory issued the first No 8 Storm Signal of the year on Friday evening as Severe Tropical Storm Chaba moved closer to Hong Kong.

Chaba is expected to pass by the SAR on Saturday morning, and the Observatory said the No 8 signal would remain in force until noon at the earliest.

This means that winds with mean speeds of 63 kilometres per hour or more are expected from the southeast quarter.

At 5 am, Severe Tropical Storm Chaba was centred about 320 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong (near 20.3 degrees north 111.9 degrees east) and is forecast to move northwest at about 16 kilometres per hour in the general direction of the coast of western Guangdong.

Chaba will skirt to the southwest of Hong Kong this morning, maintaining a distance of about 300 kilometres from the territory. According to the latest forecast, Chaba will take on a more easterly track. Its associated gales will persist over the Pearl River Estuary.

Most ferry services suspended operations early on Friday evening, but the MTR Corporation said rail services remained normal, though its bus services were suspended by 10:10 pm.

The Observatory said Chaba had brought strong winds, particularly in the southern part of Hong Kong.

"Chaba is expected to further intensify and its associated gales will edge closer to the Pearl River Estuary. Local winds will strengthen further," the Observatory said in a statement on Friday evening.

It warned that the seas around Hong Kong were rough and advised members of the public to stay away from the shoreline and avoid water sports.

It also advised the public to avoid low-lying and flood-prone areas.