Heavy rain pounds Hong Kong in aftermath of Merbok
No more typhoon signals, but city copes with air traffic disruption, flooding, and school closures
Heavy rain pounded Hong Kong in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Merbok on Tuesday, disrupting air traffic, causing flooding and forcing the closure of kindergartens and special schools.
The Airport Authority said that by 5pm, 501 flights to and from the city were delayed or cancelled on Tuesday, bringing the total number of flights disrupted by the storm over two days to more than 860.
Ten people sought medical treatment in public hospital for typhoon-related injuries, and 239 people sought refuge at the city’s 22 government shelters in almost 12 hours when the No 8 typhoon signal was in force between Monday afternoon and early Tuesday morning. The Hospital Authority said the three men and seven women, aged 43 to 71, had suffered minor injuries.
Their attempt was foiled by marine police, who confiscated more than HK$1.4 million worth of smartphones and tables at a Sha Tau Kok pier. Five suspected smugglers managed to escape.
As Merbok left Hong Kong and made landfall in Guangdong province on Tuesday morning, all typhoon signals were cancelled at 11.10am.