Published: 10:08, September 6, 2024 | Updated: 17:05, September 6, 2024
HK downgrades typhoon signal to No. 3 as Yagi departs city
By Wu Kunling and Wang Zhan
A woman crosses a street in Tsim Sha Tsui under heavy rain with Signal No. 8 in force as Super Typhoon Yagi departs Hong Kong, on Sept 6, 2024. (ADAM LAM / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Observatory downgraded the typhoon signal to T3 at 12:40 pm on Friday as Super Typhoon Yagi moved away from the city gradually.

Yagi has made landfall near Wenchang, Hainan Island, and will continue to move further away from Hong Kong, the forecaster said in a 4:45 pm weather bulletin.

At 5 pm, the typhoon was estimated to be about 440 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 18 km per hour across Hainan Island and enter Beibu Wan afterward.

“When the threat posed by Yagi is further reduced, the observatory will issue the standby signal No. 1 or the strong monsoon signal,” said the observatory.

Local winds are weakening gradually, but there are still occasional gale winds on high ground, it said warning that seas will be rough with swells.

The observatory advised people to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports.

ALSO READ: HK hoists T8 storm signal as it braces for Super Typhoon Yagi

Five people were injured as Yagi, described as an “extremely strong” typhoon, continued to lash Hong Kong on Friday morning with schools suspended, ferry terminals closed, traffic halted and stock trading canceled.

Commuters queue for buses to go to work as public transport gradually resumed in Hong Kong after typhoon signal was downgraded to No. 3 on Sept 6, 2024. (ADAM LAM / CHINA DAILY)

By 10 am Friday, Yagi had driven 269 people to the city's 30 temporary shelters set up across districts. Seventy-nine reports of fallen trees were logged as well as one report of flooding. Five people, including two men and three women, sought treatment at public hospitals.

Before noon, the maximum sustained wind speed recorded at Ngong Ping, Tap Mun and Cheung Chau Beach were 78, 66 and 59 km per hour with maximum gusts exceeding 101, 80 and 75 kilometres, per hour respectively.

Yagi continued to affect multiple areas in Macao, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan, bringing heavy rainfall. In Macao, strong winds persisted on Friday morning, accompanied by frequent heavy rain and thunderstorms. Macao will downgrade the weather to signal No. 3 at 2 pm on Friday. 

Rain clouds gather over Victoria Harbour after sunset in Hong Kong as the city braces for Super Typhoon Yagi on Sept 5, 2024. (SHAMIM ASHRAF / CHINA DAILY)

The city’s public transport system was adversely impacted in the morning. MTR announced a temporary suspension for its bus services, while the service of subway trains and light rail was limited. The services would be gradulally returned to normal after after the No. 3 signal is hoisted.

READ MORE: Bracing for a super typhoon

Citybus Limited also announced that buses will gradually start plying from 12:40 pm while services along some routes suspended owing to bad road conditions.

In accordance with current rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, trading will remain suspended for the enire day. 

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com