Typhoon Wipha Crashes Past Hong Kong, Bringing Tornado-Scale Winds and Torrential Rain
Typhoon Wipha Strikes Hong Kong as T10 Signal Is Raised
The southern coast of China was hit by gale‑to‑storm winds and heavy rain from Typhoon Wipha on Sunday, with fallen trees, collapsed scaffolding and flooding reports spreading across Hong Kong.
Storm Status and Local Impact
- Wipha was located about 140 kilometres (87 miles) southwest of the city at 5 pm (0900 GMT).
- Hong Kong’s highest tropical cyclone warning, T10, remained in effect for around seven hours before being downgraded to T8 at 4:10 pm as the storm moved away.
- Strong gusts of gale to storm force continued to affect parts of the territory sporadically.
- Intense rainbands of Wipha were persistently sweeping the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary.
Rescue Efforts and Transport Disruptions
- More than 250 people sought shelter in government‑run temporary facilities.
- Authorities received over 450 reports of fallen trees and a handful of flooding incidents, including a main thoroughfare in the Wong Tai Sin district.
- Airport officials estimated that about 500 flights were cancelled, while 400 flights were scheduled to take off or land later that day.
- Sunday classes at all day schools and daycare centres were suspended.
- Local trains offered limited services, with open track sections temporarily suspended.
Regional Warning Signals
- Macau, the nearby casino hub, issued its top‑level typhoon warning shortly after noon, suspending all public transportation services.
- China’s Hainan and Guangdong provinces were placed on high alert earlier, according to Xinhua state news agency.
Other Affected Areas
Wipha also brought heavy rain and flooding to the Philippines, where two people are reported missing by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Hong Kong last hoisted the T10 signal for Super Typhoon Saola in 2023.
