Tropical Storm Fengshen slams Hong Kong and Shenzhen
Pastor Dale Morgan
Tropical Storm Fengshen slams Hong Kong and Shenzhen**
*
by Staff Writers
Hong Kong (AFP) June 26, 2008
Hong Kong's stock exchange, schools and public transport were suspended
Wednesday morning after severe tropical storm Fengshen brought heavy
wind and rainfall to the city.
Hong Kong's observatory issued the first typhoon signal number eight of
the year, the third highest of a four-stage storm warning system
indicating gales or storm-force winds were expected, on Tuesday night.
But the warning was lowered to strong wind signal number three at 11.15
am (0315 GMT), as wind speeds dropped to 41-62 kilometres per hour.
"The public should remain on the alert as occasional gales continue to
affect the western part of the territory and over offshore waters," said
a spokesman for the observatory.
Fengshen, literally meaning the God of Wind, has killed more than 1,000
people in the Philippines and took a surprise turn towards the southern
Chinese city Tuesday night.
The storm had initially been expected to swing into the South China Sea
from the Philippines and track northwards to Taiwan but instead veered
northwest, the observatory said.
The storm, at about 60 kilometres northeast of Hong Kong on Wednesday,
is forecast to weaken and move north or north-northwest at about 14
kilometres an hour further into China's Guangdong province.
The observatory said it was heading towards Shenzhen, just over the
border from Hong Kong, but had not caused any major damage.
Tourists were stranded in Macau last night after ferry services between
Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen were halted.
Some taxi drivers in Hong Kong took the opportunity to raise fees as
people began the after-storm scramble to work.
Hong Kong's stock market was due to reopen at 2.30 pm (0630 GMT).