In a significant disruption, Hong Kong and parts of southern China came to a near standstill on Friday as Super Typhoon Saola approached the region. Classes were canceled, flights were delayed or canceled, and the start of the school year was postponed in various cities. Hong Kong’s stock market trading was suspended, and over 400 flights were affected, causing disruptions in regional business and travel. Additionally, China Railway Guangzhou Group reported the suspension of nearly 4,000 trains between Thursday and Sunday.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued a No. 8 typhoon signal, the third-highest warning level, expecting Saola to pass rather close to the city with maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour. The alert may be upgraded to a No. 10 signal, the highest warning level, if the winds reach hurricane strength. It was last hoisted during Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. The observatory also warned of potential serious flooding in low-lying coastal areas.
The director of the observatory, Chan Pak-wai, mentioned the possibility of upgrading the alert to a No. 10 hurricane signal. However, he expected the winds to gradually weaken as the typhoon moves away from Hong Kong. The observatory also warned about potential serious flooding, similar to the impact of Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, which caused extensive damage to the city.
Prior to reaching Hong Kong, Saola passed south of Taiwan causing heavy rainfall in the southern cities. It also affected the Philippines, displacing tens of thousands of people due to flooding. As Saola approached, residents of low-lying areas in Hong Kong and Macao took precautions, such as placing sandbags at their doors.
The National Meteorological Center of China stated that Saola may make landfall in Guangdong province, neighboring Hong Kong, between Friday night and Saturday morning. Another storm named Haikui was also approaching eastern China, resulting in strong winds and heavy rains in Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces. In Fujian, around 100,000 people were relocated from dangerous areas to safer places. Recently, China has experienced heavy rains and deadly flooding in various regions.
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