In brief
On Sunday, Typhoon Wipha unleashed torrential rain and fierce winds across Hong Kong and Macau, as it approached mainland China, packing winds similar to a Category 2 hurricane. The Hong Kong Observatory reported sustained winds of up to 106 miles per hour as Wipha grazed the southern edge of Hong Kong. Authorities warned residents to remain indoors due to the risk of flying debris. Consequently, Hong Kong International Airport saw over 400 flight reschedules, while in Macau, nearly 200 flights were canceled. Major closures were also implemented in southern Chinese cities, affecting workplaces and public transport as the storm continued on its predicted path towards Guangdong Province.
As Wipha prepares to make landfall between Shenzhen and Zhanjiang, students and workers have been sent home with many local businesses halting operations in anticipation of the hurricane’s impact, which is expected to persist as it moves onwards to Vietnam. This evolving situation reflects the seriousness of Typhoon Wipha, akin to its record-breaking predecessors, with continued updates expected as conditions develop. Joyce Lau contributed reporting from Hong Kong. Yan Zhuang is a Times reporter in Seoul specializing in breaking news.
