Powerful typhoon named ‘Hato’ hit Hong Kong, China, reportedly claiming at least 3 lives and injuring 34 people.
Weather authorities raised the No. 10 hurricane signal, the highest level, for the first time in five years. Offices and schools have been closed and about 450 flights have been cancelled.
Hato was packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometres (103 miles) per hour with gusts of up to 192 kph (119 mph).
A direct hit on Hong Kong was not expected, but outlying islands were experiencing winds of 141 kph (87 mph).
The Hong Kong Observatory warned residents to be prepared for destructive winds, possible flooding and landslip, and advised people to stay away from low-lying areas because storm surges could cause severe flooding.
Thousands of people were evacuated from parts of the mainland coast ahead of the storm's arrival, the official Xinhua news service reported.
Waves up to 10 metres (33 feet) high were expected in the South China Sea, the agency said.
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