Hong Kong raised its highest typhoon warning signal at 9:20 a.m. local time Sunday as Typhoon Wipha barreled toward the city, prompting widespread preparations and heightened vigilance across the densely populated metropolis. The Hong Kong Observatory urged residents to stay indoors amid forecasts of torrential rain, storm surges exceeding 3 meters, and winds reaching 120 km/h.
Live footage showed waves lashing Victoria Harbour as the iconic skyline vanished behind sheets of horizontal rain. Public transportation services, including ferries and some MTR lines, suspended operations while shopping malls and waterfront businesses boarded up windows. 'This typhoon could bring the most severe flooding since 2018's Mangkhut,' warned Observatory spokesperson Dr. Lee Chi-ming during a press briefing.
The storm's approach comes during peak tourist season, with cultural landmarks like the Avenue of Stars and Ocean Park closing preemptively. Analysts estimate the shutdowns could cost local businesses over $15 million daily. Despite the disruptions, longtime residents like Tsim Sha Tsui shop owner Chan Mei-ling remain resilient: 'We've weathered many typhoons before – safety comes first.'
Meteorologists expect Wipha to make its closest approach by late afternoon before tracking toward the Pearl River Delta. The Observatory continues monitoring the situation via radar and satellite systems, updating advisories every 30 minutes.
