Typhoon Saola makes landfall in Guangdong after slamming Hong Kong, Macau

Sands China

02/09/2023 03:08

HONG KONG, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Typhoon Saola made
landfall in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong early on
Saturday as violent winds lashed nearby Shenzhen, Hong Kong and
Macau, leaving at least one dead and a trail of destruction and
flooding in many areas.
    The Asian financial hub of Hong Kong and China's
neighbouring populous province of Guangdong cancelled hundreds
of flights on Friday and shut businesses, schools and financial
markets as Saola had edged closer.
    Packing winds of more than 200 kph (125 mph) as a super
typhoon, Saola was among the strongest to menace the southern
province since 1949. It was a severe typhoon, Chinese
authorities said, as it made landfall in Zhuhai city with winds
slowing to around 160 kph.
    Railway operations in Guangdong were allowed to gradually
resume from 8:30 a.m. (0030 GMT), the railway operator said.
    Despite weakening, Saola continues to affect the region,
Chinese authorities said, as it moves towards Taiwan's eastern
coast.
    More than 300 people were stranded at Hong Kong's airport
after some 460 flights were cancelled, the city's Airport
Authority said. 
    Flagship carrier Cathay Pacific  0293.HK  said flights would
resume from noon (0400 GMT) on Saturday after being suspended
since Friday afternoon.
    Hong Kong imposed its highest hurricane storm signal 10 on
Friday night, lowering it to 8 by Saturday morning. The city's
observatory said it would remain in force until 4 p.m. (0800
GMT) as heavy rain and flooding were still affecting the
territory. 
    Fallen trees were strewn over many roads, particularly in
the more exposed outlying islands. In the bustling Causeway Bay
district many building signs had flown off. 
    A large window was blown out of an office building in the
Tseung Kwan O district, footage from broadcaster TVB showed.
Photos posted on Facebook showed water levels at Repulse Bay
beach surging several metres higher than normal level, partially
submerging its landmark Tin Hau temple.
    More than 500 people sought refuge in government shelters
while more than 50 people were admitted to hospitals due to the
typhoon, the government said.
    In Macau, the world's biggest gambling centre, casinos were
allowed to reopen from 8 a.m. on Saturday, the government said,
after shutting Friday night.
    One person was killed in Shenzhen after a tree fell and hit
their vehicle, local media reported.
    Haikui, a typhoon not as strong as Saola, was forecast to
make landfall on Taiwan's far southeastern coast late on Sunday
afternoon and bring heavy rain across the island into next week.
    Taiwan's two main domestic airlines cancelled all flights
for Sunday, and the government warned people to stay away from
beaches and mountain areas.

 (Reporting by Farah Master, Joyce Zhou and Tyrone Siu in Hong
Kong; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing
by William Mallard)
 ((farah.master@thomsonreuters.com; +852 3462 7709;))