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| Wipha is expected to strengthen as it moves towards HK overnight |
The Hong Kong Observatory says it will issue the T8 signal at 12:20am tomorrow, as Tropical Storm Wipha continues to pick up strength as it nears the territory.
It added it will consider a higher signal tomorrow morning if the storm gets closer to Hong Kong as it moves toward the vicinity of the Pearl River Delta.
“Depending on the distance between Wipha and Hong Kong, whether Wipha will further intensify into a typhoon and the change in local wind conditions, the Observatory will assess the need of issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals [on Sunday] morning," said a spokesman for the observatory.
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| PAANO SUMALI? BASAHIN DITO |
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.
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.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
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.
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.
