Observatory May Issue No 3 Signal At Midnight

The Observatory says Tropical Cyclone Wipha has adopted a more westerly track and is slowly heading away from Hong Kong. It said, when local winds weaken, the Observatory will consider issuing the Strong Wind Signal Number 3 - probably at around midnight. The Number 8 signal remains in force.

The storm has brought flooding to the northern New Territories with Kam Tin and Pak Tin badly affected. The Observatory said 110 millimetres of rainfall had been recorded.

At around 8 pm, when the Observatory issued the Red Rainstorm warning, the maximum sustained winds at Tate's Cairn, Waglan Island and Cheung Chau Beach were 91, 71 and 70 kilometres per hour with maximum gusts 120, 85 and 87 kilometres per hour respectively. The warning was cancelled about an hour and a half later.

The Observatory also issued a landslip warning.

The Hospital Authority said, as at 8 pm, a total of 16 people - including six men and 10 women - had sought medical treatment at public hospitals during the typhoon period.

The Airport Authority said 562 flights had been delayed and 25 cancelled.

Tram, Peak Tram and ferry services remain suspended.