https://www.scmp.com/rss/324580/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com As the Pearl River Delta braces for Mawar, the third tropical storm to hit the region in two weeks, meteorologists say the country has seen more typhoons than usual this year, and they arrived earlier in the season. “Five typhoons are expected to intensify in September, with 1.8 making landfall in China,” said Liao Jun, deputy director of the contingency, disaster relief and public service department at the China Meteorological Administration. “We should keep a close watch for typhoons and not... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2109394/southern-china-seeing-more-typhoons-usual-year-another-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2109394/southern-china-seeing-more-typhoons-usual-year-another-way?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:00:00 +0000 The first insurance policy that specifically provides cover in the event of a typhoon signal No.8 was launched in Hong Kong on Tuesday. The product, offered by reinsurance company Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, pays out policyholders automatically if a T8 signal or above is issued by the Hong Kong observatory. Aimed primarily at local businesses likely to suffer financial loss during a T8, the city’s third highest storm warning, the new policy fills what Swiss Re said was a gap in traditional... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2102186/swiss-re-launches-hong-kongs-first-insurance-policy-typhoon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2102186/swiss-re-launches-hong-kongs-first-insurance-policy-typhoon?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2017 09:03:37 +0000 The names of four typhoons that killed dozens and wrought vast economic losses in the region in 2015 have been changed for future storms to avoid confusion, the Hong Kong Observatory announced on Wednesday. Observatory scientific officer Choy Chun-wing said the replacement names were proposed by the countries which put forward the original names. They are Micronesia, Japan, North Korea and Malaysia. Heavy rain pounds Hong Kong in aftermath of Merbok “The new names of these storms, which caused... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2098338/four-typhoon-names-get-rebranded-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2098338/four-typhoon-names-get-rebranded-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:09:59 +0000 While most Hongkongers took shelter indoors as Tropical Storm Merbok raged, a group of smugglers braved the bad weather in a bid to smuggle electronic products into the mainland by sea on Monday night. Their attempt was foiled by marine police, who confiscated more than HK$1.4 million worth of electronic products including smartphones and tablets, and impounded a car worth about HK$50,000 at the Sha Tau Kok pier. Five suspected smugglers managed to escape. “We believe the gang took advantage of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2098099/five-suspects-loose-after-police-foil-hk14-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2098099/five-suspects-loose-after-police-foil-hk14-million?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jun 2017 07:25:03 +0000 Tropical storm Merbok lifted the curtain on Hong Kong’s typhoon season on Monday, disrupting hundreds of flights and sending travel plans into chaos. During inclement weather, some flights do manage to take off or land at Hong Kong International Airport while others do not. What factors determine whether flights are delayed, cancelled or can go ahead? According to some airlines and the Hong Kong Airport Authority, wind speed and direction are crucial during conditions such as thunderstorms,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2098076/can-you-fly-typhoon-heres-how-airlines-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2098076/can-you-fly-typhoon-heres-how-airlines-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jun 2017 05:36:53 +0000 Hong Kong plane passengers endured travel woe as about 400 flights were disrupted overnight and into Tuesday morning by tropical storm Merbok, now downgraded to a tropical depression, which battered the city on its way to the mainland. Can you fly in a typhoon? Here’s how airlines and airports decide At least 44 flights to and from the city were cancelled. A typhoon signal No 3, as well as red rainstorm, thunderstorm and landslide warnings, were in force into the morning, along with a flood... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2098058/nearly-400-hong-kong-flights-disrupted-merbok-hits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2098058/nearly-400-hong-kong-flights-disrupted-merbok-hits?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jun 2017 04:12:04 +0000 Heavy rain pounded Hong Kong in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Merbok on Tuesday, disrupting air traffic, causing flooding and forcing the closure of kindergartens and special schools. The Airport Authority said that by 5pm, 501 flights to and from the city were delayed or cancelled on Tuesday, bringing the total number of flights disrupted by the storm over two days to more than 860. Ten people sought medical treatment in public hospital for typhoon-related injuries, and 239 people sought... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2098035/schools-closed-flights-disrupted-strong-wind?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2098035/schools-closed-flights-disrupted-strong-wind?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jun 2017 01:00:30 +0000 The Hong Kong Observatory has announced that typhoon signal No 8 is expected to be issued at or before 5.30pm on Monday as Tropical Cyclone Merbok draws closer to the city, replacing sunny skies with squally showers. The signal No 3 currently in force indicates that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62km/h are expected, while a signal No8 means that winds with mean speeds of 63 km/h or above are expected, with gusts possibly exceeding 180km/h. As of 3pm, Merbok was estimated to be about 120km... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2097888/observatory-expected-issue-typhoon-signal-no-8-or?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2097888/observatory-expected-issue-typhoon-signal-no-8-or?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jun 2017 00:30:30 +0000 The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No 1 standby signal on Sunday night as Tropical Cyclone Merbok came within 510km of the city by 10pm. It was forecast to move at about 20km/h across the northern part of the South China Sea and was scheduled to make landfall within 200km of Hong Kong between Monday night and Tuesday morning. The Observatory said unless Merbok intensified markedly or takes on a more westerly track, it did not expect local winds to strengthen significantly on Monday... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2097796/typhoon-no-1-standby-signal-issued-hong-kong-sees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2097796/typhoon-no-1-standby-signal-issued-hong-kong-sees?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jun 2017 03:30:00 +0000 Hong Kong will get a reprieve from the recent hot weather early next week, but it may come in the form of a typhoon. A low pressure area in the central part of the South China Sea will intensify and move northwards towards Hong Kong on Monday, according to the Observatory. The weather forecaster said it would consider issuing a typhoon warning signal on Sunday. Wet weather is expected to continue in the latter half of the week due to an “active southwesterly airstream”. If a warning signal is... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2097771/first-hong-kong-typhoon-year-set-arrive-coming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2097771/first-hong-kong-typhoon-year-set-arrive-coming?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Jun 2017 12:00:15 +0000