Observatory floats three options after chaos caused by Prapiroon in August
The Hong Kong Observatory has come up with three possible ways to improve the city's typhoon signal system following the chaos caused by Typhoon Prapiroon in August.
Officials are considering adding more typhoon signals, having district-based signals or increasing the wind-speed reference points to overhaul the current system which is 30 years old.
They said a new signal system that deviates significantly from existing methods might incur huge social costs since it would affect almost every aspect of the city.
The review came after Typhoon Prapiroon blew past Hong Kong in August, toppling containers, uprooting trees and grounding many flights at the airport. The typhoon signal No8 was never hoisted because the average wind speed in Victoria Harbour did not reach 63km/h - the speed needed to trigger the signal.
Among the three preliminary options floated so far, officials hinted that a district-based signal system was unlikely to be adopted as it would lead to confusion among the public, especially people travelling between districts.
While a new typhoon signal No5 could be inserted between the current typhoon signal No3 and typhoon signal No8 to warn the public that stronger winds are expected, officials believe it would take a long time for people to adjust to the new signal.