NAN-F-38
Flights
Hong Kong, Aug. 22, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Flights to and from Hong Kong was cancelled on Tuesday as Typhoon Hato is set to move to about 100 Kms of the Asian financial centre after dumping heavy rains on Taiwan, two days ago.
Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon airlines announced on their websites that almost all their flights between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. had been cancelled.
“Hato is expected to be closest to Hong Kong tomorrow morning and may skirt within 100 kms south of the territory.
“This is posing a considerable threat to the territory,” the Hong Kong Observatory, the regional government’s official website had said on Tuesday.
It said with Hato’s current track and growing strength, it would likely raise a storm signal 8 at around midnight.
The whole city, including businesses such as stock market and most of the transportation system were shut down during a signal eight.
Pre-market trading will be cancelled if the same level of signal is in place between 7a.m and 9 a.m. while trading will be cancelled for the day, if the signal remains at noon.
The Hong Kong Airport Authority said it would have more information about flight cancellations later.
Meanwhile, Taiwan has lifted a land warning for Hato on Tuesday and warned residents in eastern and southern regions of the island about possible large waves and heavy rain.
As of noon Tuesday, overall rainfall had peaked at 285 millimetres on the island in Taiwu, in southern Pingtung county, according to the country’s Central Weather Bureau.
“The passage of Hato will bring more rainfall to the island late Tuesday, especially in south-western part of Taiwan residents.
The Bureau Forecaster, Luo Ya-ying, told residents to prepare for possibly flooding,”.
The Central Emergency Operation Centre said that more than 200 residents living in flood-prone areas had been evacuated. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/DUA
Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Dada Ahmed