Hong Kong/Beijing:
China issued its biggest typhoon warning on Thursday as Super Typhoon Saola is headed for the southeast coast with winds of more than 200 kilometers per hour (125 mph), threatening Hong Kong and nearby Other major manufacturing centers in Guangdong province are at risk.
Chinese forecasters issued a red warning for the storm at 6 am (2200 GMT). China’s National Meteorological Center said Saola, which is currently located about 315 km (183 miles) southeast of Guangdong province, was moving across the South China Sea at a speed of about 10 kilometers per hour (6 mph). Will move northwestward, slowly reach the coast of Guangdong, then slowly. weakening in intensity.
Wind speeds were recorded at 209 kilometers per hour (130 mph) at noon (0400 GMT).
The center said Saola will hit the coast from Huailai County in Guangdong to Hong Kong from the afternoon to night of September 1. With its predicted intensity, it could be one of the five strongest typhoons to make landfall in Guangdong. 1949.
Hong Kong’s government said the city would raise its strong wind signal to No. 8 between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Friday, forcing the closure of most businesses and the stock exchange in the city.
The government said all schools would remain closed despite Friday being the first day of the session.
Fresh food markets in the city’s downtown Wan Chai district were crowded on Thursday afternoon, as many vegetables were already sold out. Long lines of people were seen at supermarkets to stock up on supplies ahead of the storm.
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Hong Kong’s observatory said it expected heavy rain and violent winds, while the city’s water level was expected to “rise substantially” by Saturday and cause potentially severe flooding.
As Saola approached, the city of Shenzhen in Guangdong said it would lower the storm’s alert level to yellow at 6 p.m. Thursday – the second lowest – and suspend classes in nurseries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.
Shenzhen’s Baoan airport had suspended all flights from Friday afternoon and said it would resume them as soon as it was safe to do so.
China Southern Power Grid said it was increasing inspections of equipment and strengthening measures to prevent water leaks in basement power rooms.
According to local media, China Railways has suspended several major rail lines and Shanghai has stopped trains to Guangdong.
Weather officials said by 8 a.m. (0000 GMT) on Friday, heavy rain would hit parts of Fujian and areas of Guangdong. Rainfall could be 100–220 mm (3.9 in to 8.7 in) in some areas.
