08:09 02Sep2003 RTRS-UPDATE 1-HK braces for most powerful typhoon of the
year


HONG KONG, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Hong Kong shut schools, offices and
financial markets on Tuesday and millions of people raced home as the most
powerful typhoon of the year roared toward the south China coast.
At 2 p.m. (0600 GMT), Typhoon Dujuan was about 240 km (150 miles) east
of Hong Kong, packing torrential rain and winds of up to 160 kph (100 mph).
"The maximum wind speed is about 160 kph at the centre. It reached 190
kph earlier, so it has become a little weaker in the past few hours," said
Leung Wing-mo, a senior scientific officer at the Hong Kong Observatory.
The storm, moving west at about 30 kph, ripped into southeastern Taiwan
overnight, cutting power to over half a million homes. A 54-year-old man
drowned after falling off a breakwater into the sea and at least one person
was missing after being swept into a swollen river.
More than 12 people were trapped in mountainous areas.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued typhoon warning signal No. 8 -- the
territory's third highest storm alert -- indicating gale or storm force
winds of 63-117 kph are expected and gusts may exceed 180 kph. The
government told members of the public to return home at once.
Some airlines cancelled flights and ship owners were urged to take extra
precautions as seas grew rough.
Many people who live on Hong Kong's outlying islands began filing home
at midday, fearing they would be stranded when ferry services were
suspended.
"They say this is a really strong typhoon so I hope to get back as soon
as possible," said a man about to board a ferry.
Classes at all schools were suspended and phone lines were jammed as
frantic parents tried to arrange transportation for their children.
Trading on the stock market was suspended for the afternoon and could be
delayed on Wednesday morning if the signal is still up.
By early afternoon, winds were strengthening and the city's famous
harbour was obscured by rain. Owners of small boats rushed to strengthen or
add extra mooring lines and construction workers lashed down material at
some building sites.
Dujuan, which means azalia in Chinese, is expected to come closest to
Hong Kong on Tuesday evening.
Leung said the Observatory could raise the storm warning signal to No. 9
or 10, its highest level, if the typhoon is expected to hit the territory
directly.
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd 0293.HK, Hong Kong's flagship carrier, said
it would suspend all flights in and out of the territory at 5 p.m. The
suspension will likely be in place until late morning on Wednesday.
Smaller carrier Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd said it would suspend all
flights from 4 p.m.
In Taiwan, China Airlines 2610.TW and EVA Airways 2618.TW cancelled
most of their afternoon flights to Hong Kong and nearby Macau.
Six or seven typhoons pass near Hong Kong each year, but direct hits are
rare. In 2001, one person died when Typhoon Utor tore through the territory.
The deadliest in recent decades was Typhoon Wanda in 1962, which killed
130 people, left 53 missing and sank or wrecked nearly 1,300 small ships.


Tuesday, 02 September 2003 08:09:54
RTRS [nHKG203678] {EN}
ENDS