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| Wipha is expected to strengthen as it moves towards HK overnight |
The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the No 3 Strong Wind Signal, with plans to raise it further to No 8 between midnight and 2am as Tropical Storm Wipha nears Hong Kong.
The
approaching storm has prompted several airlines to cancel flights, including
Cathay Pacific which announced that all planes departing or arriving in Hong
Kong between 5am and 6pm tomorrow, Sunday, will either be delayed or cancelled.
The
airline advised passengers affected by the flight disruptions to avoid making phone
inquiries and allow rebooking efforts to proceed first. Affected travelers will
receive updates via SMS and email.
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| PAANO SUMALI? BASAHIN DITO |
Another
airline, EVA Air, also announced the cancellation of at least 20 flights to and
from Taipei and Kaohsiung, which are on the storm’s path, between today and
tomorrow.
Wipha is expected to reach typhoon strength before hitting the coast of Guangdong overnight.
The
storm had maximum sustained winds of 101 kph (63mph) and gusts of up to 126 kph
(78 mph) as it swept through south of Taiwan earlier today.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Before barreling through Taiwan, it caused massive flooding and landslides in many parts of the Philippines. Its strong winds toppled a billboard, which then crushed a parked truck in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
The Observatory said winds are expected to reach gale to storm force later tonight and early tomorrow, and the adverse weather will persist throughout the day tomorrow.
But it said the issuance of the higher tropical cyclone warnings would still depend on the distance between Wipha and Hong Kong.
Everyone is advised to stay away from the shoreline and avoid engaging in water sport as the seas would be rough with high swells.
Flooding may also occur in low-lying areas.
