As Typhoon Saola continues to impact Hong Kong, city authorities urge residents to maintain precautions. This follows the city’s issuance of the highest No. 10 warning signal for the first time since Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018.
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Key Developments:
- Approximately 460 flights are cancelled.
- Hong Kong West Kowloon’s high-speed rail link to mainland China is suspended till Saturday.
- Public buses have ceased operations, but the underground MTR lines remain functional.
- The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge shut down from Friday afternoon.
- All ferry services to Macau and the outlying islands are suspended.
- Hospital Authority has closed its outpatient clinics and other day services. However, emergency departments are operational.
On Saturday, Hong Kong lowered its warning from a No. 8 signal to a No. 3 alert as Typhoon Saola weakened and drifted away. Yet, the aftermath of the typhoon, which weakened from a super to a severe category around Friday midnight, is still evident as strong gales persist.
Meteorologists stress that these winds remain dangerous. “Despite the winds appearing less severe, safety should remain a priority. Smaller vessels should continue sheltering,” warned a forecaster. The No. 8 alert transitioned to a No. 3 warning signal at 4:20 pm.
As of 4 pm, Saola was positioned approximately 260km (161 miles) west-southwest of Hong Kong, advancing at around 12km/h (7.4mph) across the coastal regions of Guangdong province.
Earlier, at 5:50 am, the Observatory had issued a landslide warning, urging residents to steer clear of steep slopes and retaining walls. Additionally, drivers were advised to bypass hilly terrains or roads indicating landslip risks.
By 7:45 pm on Friday, the city was under an amber rainstorm warning, hinting at potential floods in lower areas. This was rescinded at 1 am.
The city had been on alert for Typhoon Saola from midweek as the formidable storm neared. The initial No. 8 signal was issued on Friday morning, which was elevated to the second-most severe level by evening and then to the highest level, No. 10, at 8:15 pm. This level signifies hurricane-force winds exceeding 118km/h. Saola was closest to the city around 11 pm, approximately 30 km to the south.
The typhoon’s presence was felt with 12 confirmed flooding incidents, 76 reports of downed trees, and over 55 individuals seeking medical attention due to storm-related injuries. Further, over 500 citizens took refuge in 40 government-sanctioned temporary shelters across various districts.
In the realm of transportation, the MTR Corporation announced limited train services for Saturday. Major bus service providers have largely suspended their routes, offering minimal service levels.
Educational institutions remain closed, as announced by the Education Bureau. While most Department of Health clinics are shut, methadone clinics operate as usual. Furthermore, the Social Welfare Department confirmed that welfare units, childcare centers, and elderly care centers will stay closed under the No. 8 signal.
The judiciary system also took precautions, postponing court and tribunal hearings. Simultaneously, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority delayed Saturday morning’s financial exams.
Weather experts noted Saola’s unique “double-eyewalled structure,” characterized by two rings of clouds encircling the storm’s center, where wind intensity is highest. As these eyes merge or interact, wind strength can fluctuate, explained Meteorological Society spokesman, Leung Wing-mo.
The Observatory highlighted significant flooding risks, especially in eastern coastal regions like Sai Kung, Shing Mun River, Tai Po, and Sha Tau Kok, predicting water levels comparable to the 2018 Mangkhut event.
Additional regions, like Pat Heung and Kam Tin, experienced heavy rainfall, with levels at Tolo Harbour projected to set new records, surpassing those of Typhoon Wanda in 1962.
In conclusion, Typhoon Saola serves as a poignant reminder of nature’s might, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and vigilance.
Hong Kong Battens Down as Typhoon Saola Approaches
In anticipation of Typhoon Saola, sandbags were strategically placed in Lei Yue Mun, a region historically vulnerable to storm surges. As the storm’s intensity became increasingly apparent, Sai Kung’s waters rose to alarming levels, over four metres above the standard measurement, chart datum. Coastal areas, including Sha Tin, Tai Po, Sha Tau Kok, and Sai Kung, braced for severe flooding.
Forecasters predict that Victoria Harbour might experience water levels rising up to three meters above the chart datum. As a response, the government activated its flood alert mechanism and set up an emergency centre in Tai O, a fishing village on Lantau Island. There’s a looming threat of sea levels surging to 3.5 meters above chart datum by Saturday. The government has sent a clear message to the residents: those in vulnerable zones should seek shelter immediately. Furthermore, flood warnings have been extended to the northern parts of the New Territories.
In an image captured by photographer Dickson Lee, the Civil Aid Service team is seen meticulously inspecting flood prevention measures around Lei Yue Mun, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Given the storm’s projected impact, the stock market came to a standstill with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing cancelling all trading activities on Friday. Air travel was similarly affected; the Airport Authority reported approximately 460 flight cancellations on Friday. The uncertainty of the storm means that flight activities for Saturday remain in limbo. Almost all flights under Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s flagship airline, scheduled from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, were cancelled. The company also foreshadowed potential further disruptions.
Land and sea transport weren’t spared either. The iconic Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge closed its gates at 3:30 pm. The high-speed rail link connecting Hong Kong West Kowloon to mainland China also announced a halt in its services until the foreseeable future. While the MTR Corporation ensured the functioning of its underground services, trains in exposed regions, like the Airport Express, ceased operations by 6:20 pm when the No 9 signal was hoisted. Major transport companies, including KMB, Citybus, and Long Win Bus, suspended all routes, leaving the city’s transport grid paralyzed. Adding to the woes, ferry services between Hong Kong Island, outlying regions, and Macau were also put on hold.
Healthcare services felt the storm’s pressure too. The Hospital Authority announced the closure of all its general and specialist outpatient clinics, along with allied health and other day services. However, in a silver lining, public accident and emergency departments continued their operations.
Former directors of the Observatory sounded the alarm on Saola’s potential devastation. The typhoon, named after a unique horned mammal in Vietnam, was emphasized as a significant threat by Lam Chiu-ying, an ex-director, who urged for heightened preparations. Another former director, Shun Chi-ming, recommended residents stay indoors to stay safe from the impending storm. Ex-assistant director, Leung Wing-mo, underscored the seriousness of Saola’s approach and praised the early warning, although he acknowledged the unpredictability of such natural events.
Friday morning painted a serene yet eerie picture of Hong Kong. Streets, usually bustling with activity, remained deserted. Panic buying was evident, with supermarket shelves in Kwun Tong emptying quickly. Some residents sought refuge in shopping centres.
However, some took the impending storm as an opportunity. Photos show surfers, undeterred by the No 8 typhoon warning, diving into the roaring waves in Shek O, while others sought the thrill of storm-watching. In an act of caution, some residents in Tai Po parked their vehicles in multi-storey car parks, expecting the storm to grow in intensity.
Across the city, windows were taped up in hopes of offering some protection against the storm’s fury. Engineer Lo Kok-keung pointed out that while this adhesive reinforcement wouldn’t withstand a super typhoon like Saola, it could potentially prevent shattered glass from causing more damage.
As Hong Kong prepares for Typhoon Saola, the city remains a blend of caution, fear, anticipation, and an indomitable spirit.
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