Heavy downpours and fierce winds lashed Hong Kong on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha brushed past the city before hitting China’s southern Guangdong province.
The storm triggered significant disruptions, including flight cancellations, transport suspensions, and structural damage.
Wipha’s intense approach prompted Hong Kong authorities to raise the typhoon warning to the highest level, Signal No. 10, for nearly seven hours, before it was scaled back to Signal No. 8 by 4 p.m. and further downgraded to Signal No. 3 at 7:45 p.m. as the system moved westward.
Although the city avoided the full brunt of destruction seen in past typhoons, damage was still evident in many areas. Bamboo scaffolding from a building under renovation in North Point was torn down by powerful gusts, scattering debris across the road.
“Compared to previous typhoons like Mangkhut and Hato, which caused much more astonishing destruction, the impact this time was primarily limited to fallen trees and collapsed scaffolding,” Eastern District councilor Kenny Yuen told Reuters while inspecting the site near the harbor.
Throughout the storm’s passage, over 110 mm (4 inches) of rainfall drenched Hong Kong within just three hours.
Wind gusts peaked at more than 167 kilometers per hour (103 mph), particularly affecting the city’s northern region near the mainland border, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
Government figures revealed that 26 people were treated in public hospitals during the typhoon, while 253 individuals sought refuge at temporary shelters across the city. Emergency services received reports of 471 fallen trees.
After brushing past Hong Kong, Typhoon Wipha made landfall near Taishan in Guangdong at approximately 5:50 p.m., where it was later downgraded to a severe tropical storm, China’s CCTV reported.
Macau, which had also issued its highest storm warning earlier in the day, lowered its signal to No. 8 as flood threats loomed over its inner harbor. The region’s broadcaster TDM advised residents to remain cautious.
The typhoon severely disrupted air travel, affecting an estimated 80,000 travelers at Hong Kong International Airport. Around 400 flights were rescheduled.
Flag carrier Cathay Pacific canceled all flights in and out of the city between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m., offering free ticket changes and rebooking support.
Public transport across the city ground to a halt, with ferry services suspended due to rough sea conditions.
As conditions began to improve, passengers crowded terminals and check-in counters, eager to resume their travels.
