Storm in a teacup as Typhoon Linfa weakens and moves away from Hong Kong after shutting down city
It was a storm in a teacup yesterday as the No 8 typhoon signal was raised for the first time this year, but lasted barely six hours without bringing the severe weather that justifies shutting down public services. The Observatory explained today it made yesterday's decision out of a public safety concern.
It was a storm in a teacup on Thursday as the No 8 typhoon signal was raised for the first time this year, but lasted barely six hours without bringing the severe weather that justifies shutting down public services.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No8 signal at 4.40pm as severe tropical storm Linfa swept towards the city, warning of gale-force winds and deteriorating weather.
The traffic is utterly chaotic. I walked all the way from Wan Chai. And the MTR is full
But less than six hours later, the signal was lowered to No3 at 10.10pm as the fast-moving storm weakened rapidly during its passage inland over Guangdong, downgrading to a tropical storm.
And it emerged on Friday that the Hong Kong Observatory had made the decision to raise the T8 in part based on data that was almost eight hours old by 4.40pm.
At 5.50am today, the Observatory cancelled all cyclone signals when Linfa had further weakened into an area of low pressure.
Earlier yesterday afternoon Linfa, whose name which means lotus flower, sparked an exodus from offices and shops as the city shut down in anticipation of dangerous winds and heavy rain.