Typhoon Wipha Hits Hong Kong, Southern China, Hundreds Evacuated, Flights Grounded

Typhoon Wipha caused significant disruption across Hong Kong and southern China, triggering the highest storm warnings and leading to widespread cancellations of flights and public transportation. In Hong Kong, the No. 10 hurricane signal was in force for several hours, resulting in dozens of injuries, hundreds of fallen trees, and thousands of stranded travelers, with over 700 reports of fallen trees and more than 270 people taking shelter in temporary accommodations. The storm brought sustained winds up to 185 km/h and heavy rainfall, causing damage to construction sites and infrastructure, while authorities urged residents to stay indoors to avoid hazards. Southern China, particularly Guangdong province, prepared for severe flooding and heavy rainfall with over 12,000 people evacuated from sea areas and 266,000 from land, as the typhoon was expected to make landfall with wind speeds exceeding 150 km/h. Neighboring regions including Macau and Fujian also experienced travel disruptions and weather warnings. Despite the chaos, emergency services responded to injuries and damage, and weather officials continued to monitor the storm’s westward movement.