Super Typhoon Saola sweeps towards southern China megacities
Hundreds of flights were canceled, businesses were shut down, and schools were halted as Super Typhoon Saola plowed toward the megacities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen on Friday, forcing millions of people in southern China to seek shelter.
Saola, which neared Hong Kong with sustained gusts of 210 km/h (130 mph), has the potential to be one of the strongest typhoons to ever strike Guangdong.
It had moved 180 east-southeast of Hong Kong by 11 a.m. (0300 GMT), closing the stock exchange due to the T8 signal, the third-highest typhoon warning level for the city.
By late morning, the neighboring Guangdong city of Shenzhen made the announcement that all labor, business, and market activities will cease at 4 p.m., along with all nocturnal transportation.
Residents of the 17.7 million-person metropolis of Shenzhen, China, have been advised not to venture outside “apart from emergency response personnel and livelihood protection personnel.”
All public members are welcome to seek refuge in any of the city’s shelters.
According to Chinese government media, the storm is anticipated to make landfall “in the coastal areas stretching from Huilai to Hong Kong” on Friday afternoon or evening. Authorities have issued the storm’s strongest typhoon warning.
A border separates Hong Kong from the mainland, and its meteorological observatory issued a warning that Saola might pass within 100 kilometers of the colony and cause a storm surge in and near Victoria Harbour.
According to the research, “there may be serious flooding,” and water levels in the eastern coastal zones may be higher than in 2018, when Typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong and wounded more than 300 people.
The streets were vacant, and Hong Kong Island was covered in a light drizzle. Later, wind and rain were predicted to increase up.
In order to prevent water damage, glass windows and exhibits were duct taped in houses and businesses all throughout Hong Kong. Office buildings near the coastline also sealed their doors.
