bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Ernest Kao

Danny Lee

Danny Mok

Hong Kong was shut down by the first major typhoon of the year, as low-lying areas of Hong Kong were put on a flood alert after Typhoon Nida brushed past the city.
The year’s first No 8 warning signal was raised at 8.40 pm on Monday. ­Typhoon Nida made landfall near the Dapeng Peninsula, Guangdong Province at 4 am on Tuesday as it showed signs of weakening by heading inland. The storm brushed past Hong Kong and was 40 kms northeast of the city.
While high winds persisted, the threat turned to flooding in low-lying areas of Hong Kong.
The combination of gales forcing water up from the South China Sea into Victoria Harbour and coastal areas of Hong Kong during high tide prompted flood alerts as the wind direction of the typhoon changed to a southwesterly direction.


Heavy rain prompted the Observatory to issue an amber rainstorm warning at 5.20 am on Tuesday after more than 60 mm fell in many parts of the territory.
“We will be affected by heavy rain, that’s why I think all regions may have a risk of flooding due to the heavy rain, not just the high tide and storm surge,” said Sandy Song Man-kuen, senior scientific officer at the Observatory.
“If an area is prone to high tide, is a low-lying area, it could be at risk, which is why we remind the public in these areas to take precautions.”
Hong Kong-based storm chaser James Reynolds said Nida was the “biggest threat” to the city since typhoon Vicente in 2012, which triggered the first No 10 storm signal since 1999.
Trading in the Hong Kong stock market will be suspended on Tuesday if the signal No. 8 is not lowered by noon, the guidelines set by market operators Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing said.
As of 3 am on Tuesday, the authorities were aware of 14 trees knocked down across all parts of the city from Tuen Mun, Sai Kung and to Kowloon Tong. No injuries, flooding, landslides or power cuts had been reported.

Nida – a traditional Thai woman’s name – was expected to intensify on its expected track, west-northwest towards the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary at a speed of 25 kms per hour.
The Observatory said as Nida edges closer local winds would strengthen rapidly. Strong winds were generally prevailing over the city, with gale storm winds seen on higher ground.
Reynolds, who is observing the storm from the harbourfront in Kennedy Town, said the storm had been tamed somewhat.
“I think the storm lost a lot of energy as it scraped the coast to the east of Hong Kong,” he observed. “The storm was looking pretty strong and if it passed 50 kms further south would have hit Hong Kong very hard.”

After the No 3 warning signal was issued on Monday, the city started battening down the hatches, as windows were taped, public schools shut, public functions called off and 156 flights cancelled, leaving passengers stranded at the airport.




A No 8 signal means gale or storm force winds are blowing at sea level with sustained speeds as high as 117 kms/hr, and gusts of up to 180 kms/hr.
Winds began strengthening after dusk on Monday accompanied by rain, and stirring up increasingly choppy seas. Storm surges, coupled with high tide, were expected to cause flooding in low-lying areas, and drainage officials said they would have emergency relief measures in place at black spots.

On Monday night, the government ­activated its interdepartmental emergency monitoring mechanism, anticipating squalls, heavy rain and rough seas.
Observatory senior scientific officer Queenie Lam Ching-chi would not rule out the possibility of raising the alarm beyond No 8.
“The need for an even higher storm warning will depend on the intensity and location of Nida, as well as the wind conditions in Hong Kong when it comes close,” she said.
Alternative forecaster Weather Underground put the odds of a No 10 signal at 50 per cent.
Hong Kong suspends kindergarten and special school classes in anticipation of typhoon signal No 3
There were long queues at airport counters as frustrated air travellers scrambled to get their flights sorted out.
On Monday, the Airport Authority said 156 departing and incoming flights had been cancelled.
Cathay Pacific and Dragonair announced at noon that all flights between 10 pm on Monday and 2 pm on Tuesday would be suspended as a precaution. The carriers urged passengers to postpone or scrap non-essential travel as additional flight cancellations, diversions or delays were expected, possibly until Wednesday.
Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express have also suspended flights until Tuesday afternoon.
In the city, businesses in flood-prone areas were taking no chances.
“I’ve seen floods drown our shop in previous years in almost waist-deep water,” a Chinese medicine seller in Sheung Wan said, as he prepared to move all his stock out of harm’s way.

Across the border, Guangdong province was also taking no chances. The authorities said high-speed train services to other provinces and the through-train to Hong Kong would be suspended on Tuesday. Shenzhen airport cancelled all flights from midnight until Tuesday afternoon.
Additional reporting by Danny Mok, Alice Yan and Josh Ye


Cool weekend ahead for Hong Kong as cold front moves across southern China

Low visibility as fog blankets Hong Kong amid band of rain and clouds

Cold weather in Hong Kong to carry on into Tuesday, Observatory says

Up to 60% of Hong Kong landslides on private slopes related to poor upkeep

Hong Kong weather

Typhoon Nida: Hong Kong locked down by year’s first No 8 storm

Centre of storm brushes past Hong Kong and is within 40 kms of the city on Tuesday morning; over 150 flights cancelled

A stopped service notice was seen in Star Ferry Pier in TST because of Typhoon signal hoisted. 01AUG16 SCMP/David Wong

Table for online

This August 1, 2016 NASA satellite imag shows Typhoon Nida approaching China. Hong Kong hunkered down August 1 as Typhoon Nida swirled towards it, with more than 100 flights cancelled and schools closed, and Guangzhou in neighbouring mainland China issued its top storm alert. Hong Kong was expected to raise a "T8" storm signal -- the third-highest -- Monday evening as the storm edged closer to the city, packing winds of 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour. / AFP PHOTO / NASA / Handout / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / NASA" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Grey skies at Central as Typhoon Nida approaches. Photo: Felix Wong

Five things to do (and avoid) in Hong Kong when the No 8 typhoon signal is raised

There are still diversions in Hong Kong even if the No 8 typhoon signal is raised. Photo: Sam Tsang

People catching the ferry to the outlying islands at the Central Pier; the typhoon signal number 8 has been hoisted as typhoon Linfa getting closer to Hong Kong. 09JUL15

The first day of 18th Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong from 29 July to 1 August at HKCEC. 29JUL16 SCMP/ Nora Tam

Local surfer Kenneth Howe rides battles the rough white wash after at the Big Wave Bay Beach on Hong Kong Island as Typhoon Vincente approaches the city Monday, July 23rd, 2012. 23JUL12

People play Pokemon Go, a mobile game, in Quarry Bay. 28JUL16 SCMP/ Sam Tsang

People crossing a road in Wan Chai under the rain as Tropical Storm Mujigae moves away from Hong Kong. 11SEP09

The recently relocated Tai Choy Lee mahjong shop on Kam Wing Street, San Po Kong. 16MAY16 SCMP/Nora Tam

People brave stormy weather near Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui under typhoon signal no. 8 as typhoon Nesat is affecting the territory. 29SEP11

Tapes are seen on the windows at IFC Mall in Central for coming Typhoon Nida. 01AUG16 SCMP/ Felix Wong

Hong Kong suspends kindergarten and special school classes in anticipation of typhoon signal No 3

Typhoon signal raised as Hong Kong directly in path of Super typhoon Nida. Photo: Nora Tam

Haze weather over Victoria Harbour under the typhoon coming. SCMP/Felix Wong

No Caption Available.

Hong Kong Observatory launches district-specific rain warning system

The new announcement system for specific areas of Hong Kong was announced on Thursday. Photo: Sam Tsang

How Hong Kong’s rainstorm warning system came into force

Workmen clear debris washed downhill in a fatal mudslide at Baguio Villa. Four deaths were reported at the luxury apartment complex in Mid-Levels after a 1992 deluge.

This combo of handout images shows the rain signals for Hong Kong. Amber: Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 30 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue.Red: Heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 50 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue. Black: Very heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue. 14JUL16 [17JULY2016 POST MAGAZINE]

This South China Morning Post front page dated Saturday May 9, 1992 with the headline Five Die In Deluge, describing the heavy rains that occurred on 08 May, 1992. [17JULY2016 FIRST MENTION POST MAGAZINE]

Black and white photo. A man falls down while trying to cross a flooded street in Queensway during heavy rains in 8 May 1992.

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

World

Business

Markets

Centre of storm brushes past Hong Kong and is within 40 kms of the city on Tuesday morning; over 150 flights cancelled


Cathay Pacific

Update | Typhoon Nida: Hong Kong locked down by year’s first No 8 storm

Centre of storm brushes past Hong Kong and is within 40 kms of the city on Tuesday morning; over 150 flights cancelled