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 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. 

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.

Classes at all schools were suspended, tourist attractions such as Ocean Park and Disneyland were closed, and hundreds of flights were affected at Chek Lap Kok airport. Bus stops and MTR stations were jammed with commuters leaving work. 

One of them, was a courier, who had to walk from Wan Chai to the Central Library in Causeway Bay to find a bus. “The traffic is utterly chaotic and the MTR is full,” he said.

The government received only a couple of reports of fallen trees, and there was no flooding.

While employees enjoyed half a day off, business operators were already complaining last night about the loss of income.

Federation of Restaurants and Related Tradesv president Simon Wong Ka-wo estimated the shutdown had cost the catering industry HK$70 million. 

“Besides doing forecasts on a purely scientific basis, would the Observatory also consider things in a more practical way?” Wong asked.

Roy Tam Hoi-pong,v president of concern group Green Sense, said the Observatory may need to review its typhoon signal system. 

“The eye of the storm did come close enough to trigger a No8 according to the existing criteria, … but at the same time it was not a strong one and its rain band did not affect the city,” Tam said.

Facing a storm of questions, The Observatory defended its decision, insisting it was based on meteorological data and consideration of public safety. 

Senior scientific officer Olivia Lee Shuk-ming said data collected by a Government Flying Service plane from 7am to 9am found winds had reached hurricane strength force near the storm’s centre, and gale-force winds covered an area of 100 square kilometres, posing a threat to the city.

The observatory said the city would see squally showers and northerly winds early on Thursday but it did not expect Linfa's influence to last long in Hong Kong.

Senior scientific officer Song Man-kuen said Linfa accelerated yesterday and was expected to weaken and move away this morning. "The weather will improve gradually," she added.

Additional reporting by Naomi Ng, Allen Au-yeung and Frank Feng