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Super Typhoon Saola: T8 signal expected to remain in force most of day in Hong Kong; T10 hurricane warning may follow if wind strengthens

  • Saola will be ‘rather close’ on Friday night and Saturday morning, skirting within 100km south of city, Observatory says
  • Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing cancels trading sessions for all markets on Friday

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Hong Kong residents prepare as Super Typhoon Saola edges closer to the city. Photo: Sam Tsang
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The No 8 storm warning issued early on Friday morning was expected to remain in force for most of the day in Hong Kong and the highest No 10 hurricane signal could follow if offshore and high ground winds intensified as Super Typhoon Saola approached, the weather forecaster said.

Saola would be “rather close” on Friday night and Saturday morning, skirting within 100km (62 miles) south of the city, the Observatory said.

The MTR Corporation on Friday said trains would be operating at limited frequencies. Services on open sections would be suspended if weather conditions deteriorated or a higher storm signal was issued, it added.

More than 1,400 police officers and 300 firefighters, as well as civil servants from various departments, would be on standby to provide emergency services, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki told a press briefing on Thursday.

Kindergarten, primary and secondary classes were cancelled for Friday, the start of the new academic year, Chan added.

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