Hong Kong groans as Typhoon Utor hits

Typhoon Utor brushed past the city, bringing winds of up to 100km/h yesterday, disrupting air, land and sea traffic and forcing most businesses to close for half the day.

The typhoon left Hong Kong with minor damage before making landfall in Guangdong in the afternoon. Outside Hong Kong, a Guangdong-bound cargo vessel sank in international waters, forcing its 21 crew members to abandon ship.

In the city, six people sought treatment in public hospitals for typhoon-related injuries and 54 sought refuge at the city's 20 government shelters.

There were 21 reports of fallen trees and six of minor flooding at To Kwa Wan, Mong Kok, Kwai Chung, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin and Tseung Kwan O.

The Airport Authority said 117 flights - 56 arrivals and 61 departures - were cancelled, while 401 - 217 arrivals and 184 departures - were delayed.

While most people were taking shelter, the crooks braved the bad weather to steal more than HK$200,000 in cash and valuables. In the 12 hours that the No 8 typhoon signal was in force, police received six reports of burglaries. The thieves hit three shops, a three-storey house, a flat and a monastery. No one has been arrested yet.