China News Service, Hong Kong, October 12 (Reporter Han Xingtong) The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 8 southeast gale or storm signal (commonly known as Typhoon Signal No. 8) following the impact of tropical storm "Lion Rock" on the 9th. The storm "Compasses" issued the No. 8 northeast gale or storm signal. This is the first time since Hong Kong has recorded that the No. 8 typhoon signal has been issued twice in four days.
Citizens watch the waves on the seashore of South Horizons.
Photo by Li Zhihua
Shortly after tropical storm "Lion Rock" left Hong Kong, another severe tropical storm "Compasses" approached Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the Northeast Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 at 5:20 pm.
Cheng Chuming, director of the Hong Kong Observatory, said that "Lion Rock" and "Compasses" are "autumn observatories". South China is affected by the northeast monsoon. When a tropical cyclone is in the South China Sea, the combined effect of the two will increase the wind force.
The Hong Kong Observatory stated that at 6 pm, the "compasses" gathered about 460 kilometers south-southeast of Hong Kong, and are expected to move westward at a speed of about 25 kilometers per hour, across the northern part of the South China Sea, and toward Hainan Island.
According to the current forecast path, the "compass" will be the closest to Hong Kong in the early morning of the 13th, passing within about 400 kilometers south of Hong Kong.
Typhoon Signal No. 8 will be maintained at least until sunrise on the 13th.
Before Typhoon Signal No. 8 took effect, many private companies and public organizations responded to the SAR government's appeal to allow employees to leave work and return home early.
The reporter observed that the road traffic was gradually busy at about 3:30 in the afternoon, and the traffic arteries such as the Eastern Harbour Crossing and Tseung Kwan O Tunnel were once blocked.
In a shopping mall in Tseung Kwan O, an engineer is checking the ceiling corner by corner to ensure that there will be no leakage under heavy storms.
The supermarkets in the shopping malls are crowded with people shopping for food, and many people in the neighboring markets are "sweeping goods" before the typhoon signal No. 8 takes effect.
Various departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government also responded quickly. The Marine Department issued a broadcast of wind protection measures; the Home Affairs Department set up a 24-hour emergency hotline for public inquiries, and reminded residents to take care of wind protection through district councils, area committees, rural committees and other regional organizations Water-proof measures, and the opening of temporary shelters at the same time; the Education Bureau announced the closure of all schools in Hong Kong; the Department of Health notified community vaccination centers, hospital vaccination stations, and Department of Health clinics to close ahead of schedule.
(over)