Hong Kong issues T8 signal as Typhoon Koinu nears

Hong Kong’s Observatory raised the T8 storm signal at 12:40 pm on October 8, as Typhoon Koinu skirted within 100km south of the territory.

“Currently, strong winds are prevailing over many places of the territory. Gale winds are affecting offshore and high ground occasionally. With Koinu further edging closer, winds will strengthen gradually locally,” the Observatory said, HKFP reports.

Cool temperatures, strong winds and heavy showers are expected into the October 8 evening, though the weather is set to improve by the end of the coming week: “With Koinu departing and weakening, the weather will improve over the coast of Guangdong in the middle part of this week. Under the influence of a dry northeast monsoon, it will be mainly fine over southern China in the middle and latter parts of this week,” the Observatory added.

Schools have been suspended. Ferry services to outlying islands will be suspended from mid-afternoon.

The Security Bureau said on Facebook that it had arranged a meeting with 14 policy bureaus and departments in light of the typhoon.

Meanwhile, the “Waterfront Carnival” at Wan Chai harbourfront and the “K-Farm Night Market” at the Belcher Bay Promenade, Kennedy Town, have been cancelled. Both were set to take place on Sunday as part of the government’s “Night Vibes” campaign.

Typhoon Signal 8

When the No. 8 signal is issued, gale or storm-force winds are affecting, or expected to affect, Hong Kong.

• The Hong Kong Observatory will make a special announcement within two hours before the signal is hoisted. Most offices and businesses will then close and people without special reasons for staying out are expected to go home.
• All school classes and most government services will halt.
• Ferry services will give notice as to when they will stop running, while most bus routes will halt within two hours after the signal is issued.
• MTR trains will run normally unless weather conditions worsen.
• Citizens should return home or stay in a safe place, and avoid low-lying areas likely to be flooded.
• Temporary shelters will be opened in government buildings for people with no safe refuge.

The Observatory explained that strong north-to-north-easterly winds should be expected as the storm had moved closer to the Pearl River Delta earlier in the morning, with the gusts occasionally intensifying gale force over some areas.

Koinu is the Japanese word for puppy and named after the country’s term for the Canis Minor constellation.

“Winds will further strengthen in the afternoon. Cloudy with squally showers. Showers will be heavy later. Seas will be rough with swells,” the forecaster said.

The Observatory storm projection data also showed Koinu was expected to move west or southwestern towards mainland China’s Hainan province.

The forecaster also noted that the maximum sustained wind speeds across Tate’s Cairn, Waglan Island and Cheung Chau had respectively reached 73km/h (45mph), 69km/h and 57km/h. Gusts have exceeded 112km/h, 79km/h and 78km/h.

On October 7, Hong Kong was already making preparations for the approach of Typhoon Koinu with flood barriers and sandbags.

Classes at kindergartens and special schools stayed shut as the No 3 typhoon warning, which was first raised at 5.40 pm on October 6, remained in force on Sunday morning.

Staff at Wong Tai Sin’s Temple Mall North put up flood barriers along the top of the stairway down to the entrance. Sandbags were used to anchor the barriers in place.

The lower ground level of the shopping centre was flooded in last month’s record-breaking rainstorm. Water had poured from higher ground into the building down the stairway. The floor is still off-limits to the public.

Flood barriers and sandbags were also in place at the entrance to an underground car park in Chai Wan’s Wan Tsui Estate, which suffered severe flooding in last month’s storm, and pumps have been installed to help control water levels.

The torrential rain also triggered a landslide on Yiu Hing Road in Shau Kei Wan, near Yiu Tung Estate. Large rocks, trees, and debris were washed down the slope and blocked the road.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lai Sai-hung said in a blog on Saturday that the Highways Department contractor had cleared about 150 tonnes of rocks and debris from the road and would finish the installation of a barrier net this week.

He added the government would later remove other debris and stabilise the boulders at the top of the slope.

As Koinu weakens and moves away in the middle of next week, a dry northeast monsoon is expected to bring fine weather to the Guangdong coast, with the mercury climbing to 30 degrees Celsius.

The Security Bureau reported on social media that it had convened a meeting on Friday with representatives from 14 policy bureaus and departments.

Acting security minister Michael Cheuk Hau-yip was briefed on the preparation work and contingency plans drawn up for Koinu.

The bureau said the emergency monitoring and support centre would be activated to coordinate the emergency response if a higher-level warning was issued.