After Philippines, Hong Kong was on Friday bracing for Super Typhoon Haima with destructive 145 kmh (86 mph) winds at its centre, forcing authorities to shut all but essential services in the global financial hub.
At least 13 people were killed and over 1,00,000 evacuated after the typhoon smashed into the northern Philippines. Several villages were cut off by fallen trees, landslides and floods, impeding communications and aid.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Observatory raised its typhoon 8 signal, one of its highest warnings, which rate typhoons up to 10, as Haima crossed the northern part of the South China Sea after lashing the Philippines.
Flights and train services have been cancelled going in and out of the city. When a typhoon 8 signal is in place, businesses, government offices and schools stay closed – including banks, port operations and the Hong Kong stock exchange.
(With inputs from AP and Reuters)
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