It was the strongest typhoon to hit the Pearl River delta in 30 years, the China News Service cited experts as saying.
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Guangzhou, the capital of neighbouring Guangdong province – where Nida is expected to make landfall today – issued its first-known red storm alert, with schools and outdoor work suspended.
In a statement, MAS said Flights MH78 from Kuala Lumpur Monday and MH79 from Hong Kong Tuesday were cancelled.
Though Nida is now 260 kilometres away according to the Hong Kong Observatory, there will still be strong winds affecting high grounds and offshore areas.
Cheung Chaur reported sustained winds of 68 kilometers per hour (42 mph) and maximum gusts of 105 kilometers per hour (65 mph), the observatory said.
Large parts of China have seen heavier than usual seasonal rainfall this summer, leading to widespread flooding and scores of deaths. All ferry and tram services have been canceled.
More than 2,000 soldiers and paramilitary forces, as well as over 100 ambulances, have been prepared for the emergency response in Shenzhen, the city’s armed police headquarters said. Everything’s shut down in china and Hong Kong.
Heavy rain is forecast for Yunnan, which has raised fears of floods and landslides, the provincial meteorological bureau said, warning residents in mountainous areas to take precautions.
It then moved further inland towards major cities in Guangdong like Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Shanwei – all of which are now on red alert.
All Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair flights scheduled to go through Hong Kong between 10 p.m. local time Monday until 2 p.m. Tuesday will be suspended, the airlines said.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) announced that the morning trading in its securities market and derivatives market has been delayed due to the issuance of Typhoon Signal No. 8.
Those living in the typhoon’s projected path were asked to prepare three days’ worth of food and other essentials, as per Xinhua news agency.
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Super Typhoon Nepartak left at least 69 dead in Taiwan in July after making landfall in the mainland’s eastern province of Fujian – despite being downgraded to a tropical storm.
