Typhoon Wipha Strikes Hong Kong and South China, Triggers Massive Disruptions
Typhoon Wipha uprooted trees and led to major flight disruptions on Sunday across Hong Kong and nearby airports in China as it moved westward along the southern coastline of the country.
Airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao faced severe disruptions due to the storm, with numerous flights either cancelled or delayed throughout the day. As per reports, Hong Kong International Airport grounded over 400 flights, impacting nearly 80,000 passengers. Additionally, some high-speed rail services were suspended, further derailing travel schedules, according to the Associated Press (AP).
China’s National Meteorological Centre stated that the typhoon remained just offshore until around 6 PM, when it made landfall near Taishan city in Guangdong province. The storm then weakened into a severe tropical storm with peak sustained winds of 108 km/h.
Earlier in the day, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a Hurricane Signal No. 10, the highest alert level. The storm’s eye passed just south of the city around midday, bringing winds up to 140 km/h, according to the observatory.
Strong gusts knocked down trees in Zhuhai and other southern coastal cities in China. In Hong Kong, roads were scattered with tree branches, and vehicles had to maneuver around the debris. Officials reported over 450 fallen tree cases, and 26 individuals received treatment at public hospitals, though no detailed reports on the nature of injuries were provided.
More than 250 people took shelter in public facilities, the government stated. Hong Kong Disneyland and other amusement centers were closed for safety.
The storm gained intensity overnight and moved past Macao, with forecasts indicating landfall on China’s coast by Sunday evening and a possible approach toward Vietnam later in the week.
Wipha—named by Thailand—had earlier passed over the Philippines as a tropical storm, soaking parts of Taiwan on Saturday. Typhoon names in the western Pacific are selected by nations in the region.
In the Philippines, the storm worsened seasonal monsoon rains, leaving at least one person dead due to floods in Cagayan province in the north.
Over 370,000 individuals have been affected by continuous stormy conditions, including around 43,000 people who evacuated to government shelters or stayed with relatives due to flooding, landslides, and intense winds. Officials reported damage to over 400 homes.
Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea experienced five days of heavy rain, resulting in 14 fatalities and 12 missing persons, the government said on Sunday.
