Tropical storm Tapah hits southern China: 60,000 evacuated, 100 flights cancelled

The economic hub of Guangdong, close to Hong Kong, also halted some train and ferry services in advance of the storm, China’s Xinhua news agency said.

Hong Kong braces for impact

The Hong Kong Observatory issued its No. 8 storm signal, the city’s third-highest warning, on Sunday night as Tapah closed in, according to China Daily. By Monday morning, day schools were shut and ferry services and some bus routes were suspended or adjusted. While no major flooding or landslides were reported, heavy showers and squalls lashed the city.

Air travel was also disrupted, with nearly 100 flights cancelled.

Stranded passengers were seen resting on chairs at the city’s airport, waiting for updates. In one incident, an HK Express flight arriving from Beijing veered onto grass during landing. Police said smoke was briefly observed from its landing gear, though no injuries were reported and it remained unclear if weather was a factor.

Damage and injuries reported

Authorities said at least twelve people were injured in the storm in Hong Kong and taken to hospital for treatment.

The government received more than 160 reports of fallen trees and three flooding cases, while several hundred people sought refuge in temporary shelters. Court hearings were also suspended due to the weather.

In neighbouring Macao, local broadcaster TVB reported minor flooding in parts of the casino hub.

After striking Guangdong, Tapah moved northwest towards Wuzhou city in Guangxi, CCTV reported.

According to The New York Times, flash flooding from tropical storms can occur well inland, even far from the centre of circulation, making such weather systems dangerous beyond coastal areas. Satellite images often reveal the intensity of storms.

Typhoon season typically runs from July through December, with storms regularly hitting the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, China and Vietnam, the NYT noted. 

(With inputs from AP, China Daily, The New York Times)