The path of Typhoon Talim as forecast by the Hong Kong Observatory.
On Monday, Hong Kong endured its first Typhoon Signal No 8 of the year, as Typhoon Talim brought the city to a standstill for most of the day, leaving nine people injured, 55 fallen trees and the cancellation of multiple flights, stock trading, trains, buses and ferries and the closure of schools.
The city hoisted Typhoon Signal No 8 at 00:40 am on Monday and downgraded it to Signal No 3 at 4:20 pm.
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Residents from all walks of life reported disruptions and delays to their lives because of the typhoon, while the cyclone provided a windfall for taxi drivers as the city’s public transport was brought to a standstill.
People walk along the shoreline on Monday as big waves pound Shek O Beach in Hong Kong during Typhoon Talim, which made landfall in the coastal areas of the city of Zhanjiang in Guangdong province around 10:20 pm. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Insurance professional Bonnie Wen had enrolled her 10-year-old daughter in a summer camp that cost over HK$6,000 ($768). However, the typhoon forced the cancellation of all scheduled activities, including a creative writing class in the morning and drama classes in the afternoon.
Wen’s frustration mounted when she learned that the camp organizers would not reschedule activities or refund fees due to force majeure, a condition that permits a company to depart from the strict terms of a contract because of an event or effect that can’t be reasonably controlled.
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“Many office staff look forward to typhoons as they do not need to work. However, for parents and the self-employed, a sudden typhoon is a nightmare,” Wen said.
Residents take photographs of the rain clouds blanketing the sky over Victoria Harbour. (ANDY CHONG/ CHINA DAILY)
Chiu Wai, a committee member of the Hong Kong Construction Association Young Members Society, had planned to lead a youth exchange program of over 50 students to visit Kai Tak Sports Park on Monday.
The event aimed to attract young people to Hong Kong’s construction industry but had to be canceled because of the typhoon. So, instead of sharing his ambitions with young people, Chiu was stuck at home, aimlessly browsing his phone.
Taxi driver John Yip, who worked the whole day, said he enjoys working on typhoon days as he earns more than usual, given that public transport is suspended, and workers such as nurses, doctors, and civil servants still need to commute via taxis.
People hold tree leaves as they brace against the wind near the Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower, in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on July 17, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
Yip added that even after the typhoon signals are canceled, it takes a while for public transport to resume, making the business of driving taxis around the city better than usual.
As of 4 pm on Monday, the Hospital Authority said nine people — six men and three women — had sought medical treatment at various Accident and Emergency Departments of public hospitals during the typhoon period because of injuries.
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A total of 112 people sought refuge at 29 temporary shelters in various districts. Two cases of flooding and 55 fallen trees were reported. No reports of landslides were received.
According to the Airport Authority, as of 3 pm, a total of 22 flights were canceled, while five inbound flights were diverted to other airports.
People struggle against the wind and rain as they make their way in Tsim Sha Tsui. (ANDY CHONG/ CHINA DAILY)
The city started to get back to normal around 5 pm on Monday after Typhoon Talim gradually moved away from the territory. Buses, ferries, and outpatient clinics gradually started to operate again.
The Hospital Authority resumed its General Out-Patient Clinics services by early evening. Specialist Out-patient Clinics, Allied Health and other day services remained closed.
The MTR said that it would gradually increase the frequency of train services to cope with increased passenger volume as the typhoon moved away.
The China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui and the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan reopened in the early evening.
Mike Wong contributed to the story.
