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Hong Kong has raised its T8 typhoon signal as Tropical Cyclone Toraji neared, bringing squally showers and strong winds to the city.
The Gale or Strom Signal, No. 8 was issued at 11.10 pm on Wednesday, with the Hong Kong Observatory saying it would remain in force until at least 10 am on Thursday.
“In the past few hours, Tropical Storm Toraji adopted a more northerly track towards the coast of Guangdong,” the government forecaster said on Wednesday evening. “With Toraji edging closer to the Pearl River Estuary, local winds will strengthen further.”
Hongkongers with long or difficult journeys, or those living on outlying islands, were advised to begin making their way home. Classes of evening schools were suspended on Wednesday, with the Education Bureau announcing that schools would remain closed on Thursday, while public transport routes were affected.
Toraji marks the second time this year that the Observatory has issued the T8 alert, after Super Typhoon Yagi skirted south of the city in September.
Members of the public were advised to stay away from the shoreline and not engage in water sports. Authorities have this year made efforts to crack down on surfers during inclement weather, with two people “found to have committed the acts of illegal surfing during hoisting of red flags” at Big Wave Bay Beach on October 25.
Toraji was one of three storms affecting the region on Wednesday. While Hong Kong’s typhoon season lasts from May to November, the city is most likely to be impacted by tropical cyclones from July to September.
Experts have warned that the climate crisis will make typhoons more frequent and more destructive, and that long-term planning is needed to mitigate the impact of such extreme weather events, particularly for the most vulnerable.
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.
Climate crisis
Tropical cyclones – which get their energy from warm ocean water – are strengthening and become ever more destructive because of warming seas. Over 90 per cent of excess heat in the atmosphere is ending up in oceans, according to NASA, as rising greenhouse gases prevent it from escaping to space.
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