The Hong Kong Observatory says it is assessing the need for issuing the No 10 hurricane signal, minutes after raising the alert to a No 9 storm warning as Typhoon Wipha is edging its way towards the city.
The No 9 signal was raised at 7.20am on Sunday, seven hours after the first No 8 warning of the year took effect. The forecaster says Wiphas hurricane winds will be rather close to Hong Kong, with the typhoon skirting about 50km to the south of the city around noon. Adverse weather will persist with heavy squally showers during the day.
The forecaster says Wipha intensified from a severe tropical storm into a typhoon shortly before midnight on Saturday.
More than 500 weekend flights have been cancelled, while most public transport services have been suspended and major events such as the annual Hong Kong Book Fair are closed.
Follow the Posts updates as Wipha a womans name in Thai meaning splendour or radiance bears down on the city.
Reporting by Wynna Wong, Natalie Wong, Oscar Liu, Harvey Kong, Jiang Chuqin and Elizabeth Cheung.
