Most of Hong Kong and parts of southern China ground to a near standstill Friday with classes and flights canceled as Super Typhoon Saola edged closer (Pics/AFP)
Updated On: 2023-09-01 11:57 AM IST
Compiled by : ronak mastakar
The typhoon could make a landfall in southern China and many workers stayed at home. Students in various cities had the start of their school year postponed to next week. Hong Kong's stock market trading was suspended and more than 400 flights were canceled or delayed in the key center for regional business and travel
China Railway Guangzhou Group said nearly 4,000 trains were suspended between Thursday and Sunday, state media CCTV earlier reported
The Hong Kong Observatory raised a No. 8 typhoon signal, the third-highest warning under the city's weather system, early Friday. Its forecast said Saola with maximum sustained winds of 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour would be "rather close" to the financial hub on Friday and Saturday morning, skirting within 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of the city
The observatory's director Chan Pak-wai said on Thursday the alert might be upgraded to a No. 10 signal if the strength of the winds reached hurricane levels. The No. 10 hurricane signal is the highest warning under its system and was last hoisted when Super Typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong in 2018
Chan expected the winds would gradually weaken as the typhoon moves away from Hong Kong on Saturday
