Hong Kong public services slowly resume as Observatory cancels last of Typhoon Higos signals

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Commuters at Hong Kong’s Tai Tai Station prepare to board a train after resumption of services after the Observatory lowered the typhoon signal to No 3. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:15am, 19 Aug 2020Updated: 7:20pm, 19 Aug 2020

Hong Kong’s Observatory cancelled its last alert signal for Typhoon Higos at 1.20pm as it moved away from the city on Wednesday, leaving disruptions to scheduled court hearings and the collection of Covid-19 test samples in its wake.

The Observatory had earlier downgraded the typhoon warning signal from a No 9 to a No 8 at 7.40am, then lowered it to No 3 just after 11am.

“When Higos no longer poses a threat to Hong Kong, the Observatory will cancel all tropical cyclone warning signals,” the weather forecaster said just before noon.

After the typhoon was downgraded to No 3, public services began gradually resuming, including bus routes that had been suspended earlier in the day.

All bus lines operated by KMB and Long Win resumed services shortly after 11am, with the exception of route No 91, which runs between the Clear Water Bay and Diamond Hill. Most lines run by Citybus and New World First Bus Services were also back up and running.

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