No. 8 storm signal remains in HK

Hong Kong Observatory said No. 8 storm signal will remain in force for the whole morning on Wednesday although Severe Typhoon Utor moves towards western coasts of Guangdong Province.

Scores of flights have already been delayed or canceled due to the typhoon. Cathay, Dragonair and Hong Kong Airlines have warned that many more incoming and outgoing flights will be canceled Wednesday.

Mass Transit Railway trains and rail services all over the city are still running Wednesday morning but trains will be less frequent. Nearly all buses are suspended.

The opening of the Hong Kong stock exchange has been delayed due to the storm signal warning. If the signal is lowered before noon, afternoon trading will be normal. If the signal remains in force until midday, afternoon trading will be canceled.

The Education Bureau said both morning and afternoon school lessons had been suspended. The Hospital Authority said accident and emergency services at hospitals will remain as normal but general out-patient and specialist clinics will be closed. Services of many other government departments have also been suspended.

According to Hong Kong Observatory, at 11 a.m., Utor was centered about 260 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong and is to move northwest at about 16 kilometers per hour towards the western coasts of Guangdong.