Hong Kong residents are waking up to a city on virtual lockdown as Typhoon Nida, which made landfall in the early hours of Tuesday local time, continues to lash the city.
Winds of up to 145 kilometers per hour (90 miles per hour) were reported in some parts of the city, according to the Hong Kong Observatory, which also warns of the potential risks of flooding.
More than 180 flights to or from Hong Kong’s airport have been canceled, and bus, tram and ferry routes have been suspended.
City closed
The Observatory issued the year’s first No. 8 warning signal, the second most severe, on Monday evening.
Speaking to reporters, an Observatory spokeswoman warned Hong Kongers “not to let their guard down” as the storm moved across the city.
“Places which have been sheltered before will become more exposed to high winds,” she said, adding that the potential for a higher warning signal could be raised “cannot be ruled out.”
Gusts of up to 145 kilometers (90 miles) per hour were recorded at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, near the airport, while outlying Cheng Chau island was lashed by sustained 78 kilometer-per hour winds.
The MTR, Hong Kong’s subway, is only running a limited service, while most bus routes have been suspended. All ferry and tram services have been canceled.
All schools are also shut this morning. In a statement, the education department said that if the No. 8 signal is lowered before 10:30 a.m. local time, then afternoon classes would resume.
“The authorities aren’t taking any chances,” says CNN’s Ivan Watson. “Hong Kong is used to these kinds of typhoons, and much of the city will likely be closed today.”
China on red alert
As the storm proceeds across Hong Kong and makes landfall in southern China, many cities in the Pearl River Delta region are bracing for impact.
The China Meteorological Administration has issued a typhoon red alert — the highest level of warning — over the approaching typhoon, its first such alert of the year, with people in affected areas warned to stockpile up to three days worth of food.
China’s State Oceanic Administration (SOA) issued a red alert for ocean waves and storm tides, warning that waves of up to 11 meters high could be expected off the coast of Guangdong Province.
The SOA estimates that the sea level off the Pearl River estuary could rise up to 220 cm (7 feet), and warned of the risk of flooding.
Shenzhen airport canceled all flights from midnight Monday through Tuesday morning, while farther north in Guangzhou more than 600 high-speed train runs have been suspended, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.
Philippines battered
Nida, also called Tropical Storm Carina, hit the Philippines on Saturday, pouring up to 11 inches of rain over the northern parts.
Northern Luzon and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan were on alert for flash floods and landslides triggered by the rains, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
Government agencies were on standby to provide aid, CNN Philippines reported, with more than 31,000 family food packs prepared.