Hong Kong flights cancelled as Typhoon Nida approaches

Typhoon Nida, moving toward Hong Kong, is anticipated to hit the north of Vietnam and bring grey days and rain squalls to the south of the country.

Cathay Pacific and Dragonair flights from Singapore to Hong Kong will be affected by a strengthening typhoon on Monday night (Aug 1) and part of Tuesday, the airlines said in a joint statement.

“When it finally makes it there, it will slow down and weaken”, CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar said.

According to Hong Kong International Airport’s website, 181 flights scheduled to depart or arrive Hong Kong between Monday and Tuesday have been canceled.

Hong Kong authorities have shut kindergartens and special needs learning institutions on Monday. A No 8 signal means gale or storm force winds blowing at sea level, at sustained speeds of 63 to 117km/h, and gusts that may exceed 180km/h, said the report.

“The weather will deteriorate rapidly after sunset”, the observatory said. “There may be flooding in low-lying areas”.

HKO, US National Hurricane Centre and the Korea Meteorological Administration all predict that Nida will strike Lantau Island the most severely, according to local blog Lantau Confidential.

China has a four-tier, colour-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe weather, followed by orange, yellow and blue.