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uk.sci.weather (UK Weather) (uk.sci.weather) For the discussion of daily weather events, chiefly affecting the UK and adjacent parts of Europe, both past and predicted. The discussion is open to all, but contributions on a practical scientific level are encouraged. |
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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 |
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