The Hong Kong Observatory on Thursday said it would consider downgrading the T8 storm signal between 10am and noon, as Tropical Storm Toraji starts slowly moving away after coming within 130 kilometres of the territory. Wind gusts in excess of 80 kilometres per hour were recorded at Waglan Island and Tate’s Cairn as the storm inched its way past Hong Kong. At a 6am briefing, Senior Scientific Officer Yeung Kwok-chung of the Observatory said Toraji was at that point the closest it would come to Hong Kong. "Toraji is expected to weaken and move away from Hong Kong, and local winds will moderate gradually during the day today. Depending on the weakening of local winds, the Observatory will consider issuing the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 between 10am and 12 noon”, he said. Forecasters are nonetheless expecting occasional squally showers on Thursday. They also urged people to stay away from the shoreline, as seas are very rough with swells. The T8 signal was issued at 11.10pm on Wednesday night. However, the storm didn’t have any major impact on the city, with authorities receiving just three reports of fallen trees as of 6am, with no reports of landslides or flooding. One woman sought treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department at a public hospital during the T8 signal. Most students will get a day off, with morning and whole-day classes cancelled for the day. However, afternoon and evening classes would resume if the T8 signal is downgraded before 10.30am. Many public services, including outpatient services at hospitals and social welfare care centres will be suspended during the storm’s passage. All court hearings in the morning are also adjourned, and afternoon hearings will also be put off if the T8 warning is still up as of 11am. Meanwhile, the MTR Corporation said it would continue providing rail services – albeit at limited frequencies. It said trains on most lines would run at 10-minute intervals, while there would be 15 minutes between trains operating between Tiu Keng Leng and Lohas Park, and a 20-minute gap on the Disneyland Resort line, as well as for East Rail trains running between Admiralty and Lok Ma Chau. Light rail services would run at intervals of between 15 and 20 minutes during the T8 signal. More than 100 people have sought shelter at 27 temporary shelters opened in various districts by the Home Affairs Department. _____________________________Last updated: 2024-11-14 HKT 06:37
