Signal 8 Expected By 2pm As Wipha Nears

The observatory says it expects to issue the typhoon signal number 8 by 2pm on Wednesday as Tropical Storm Wipha approaches the SAR.

The storm began to adopt a more northerly track than had been expected on Wednesday morning and is now expected to pass around 300 kilometres to the southwest of Hong Kong.

Transport services are being affected, with a number of ferry services between outlying islands already suspended.

The MTR said it was increasing the frequency of its services to help people get home, but crowd management measures may have to be put in place which could lengthen journey times.

Local winds are expected to strengthen in the afternoon and the rain bands associated with Wipha will bring heavy showers and squalls to the territory.

Seas will also be rough with swells and the observatory is advising members of the public to stay away from the shoreline and low-lying areas, and not to engage in water sports.

The Education Bureau said classes at all schools were suspended on Wednesday.

The bureau said schools should implement contingency measures to ensure the safety of students, and ensure that conditions are safe before allowing students to return home.

The Hospital Authority says its general out-patient clinics, specialist clinics including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and psychiatric day hospitals will be closed on Wednesday afternoon, while the accident and emergency services at public hospitals will remain normal.

______________________________