Reuters
[Source: Reuters]
Typhoon Saola made landfall in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong early on Saturday as violent winds lashed nearby Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau, leaving at least one dead and a trail of destruction and flooding in many areas.
The Asian financial hub of Hong Kong and China’s neighbouring populous province of Guangdong cancelled hundreds of flights on Friday and shut businesses, schools and financial markets as Saola had edged closer.
Packing winds of more than 200 kph (125 mph) as a super typhoon, Saola was among the strongest to menace the southern province since 1949. It was a severe typhoon, Chinese authorities said, as it made landfall in Zhuhai city with winds slowing to around 160 kph.
Railway operations in Guangdong were allowed to gradually resume from 8:30 a.m. (0030 GMT), the railway operator said.
Despite weakening, Saola continues to affect the region, Chinese authorities said, as it moves towards Taiwan’s eastern coast.
More than 300 people were stranded at Hong Kong’s airport after some 460 flights were cancelled, the city’s Airport Authority said.
Flagship carrier Cathay Pacific (0293.HK) said flights would resume from noon (0400 GMT) on Saturday after being suspended since Friday afternoon.
Hong Kong imposed its highest hurricane storm signal 10 on Friday night, lowering it to 8 by Saturday morning. The city’s observatory said it would remain in force until 4 p.m. (0800 GMT) as heavy rain and flooding were still affecting the territory.
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