Macau saw Signal No. 8 hoisted for 18 hours, with little to no damage

Tropical Storm Tapah disrupted the region as the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) hoisted Signal No. 8 for 18 hours, from 9 p.m. Sunday to 3 p.m. yesterday.

Despite the long duration, the storm caused no significant damage.

Until 1 p.m. Monday, when the Civil Protection Operations Center (COPC) downgraded the state of immediate prevention, 24 incidents had been reported over 16 hours. Almost all of the cases involved removing objects, lamps, trees, or signage at risk of falling or already fallen. The other case involved a person stuck in an elevator, although this incident was unrelated to the weather.

According to the Social Welfare Bureau, 12 people sought shelter in emergency facilities during this period.

At 3 p.m., Signal No. 8 was lowered to Signal No. 3, and authorities resumed all public transportation, including buses, special taxis, and the Light Rapid Transit system.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) also reopened, and the HZMB bus service was restored between Hong Kong and Zhuhai.

The Civil Aviation Authority reported that as of 2 p.m., the storm’s impact on Macau International Airport included 81 flight cancellations, 29 delays, and nine rescheduled flights.

According to the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA), ferry service between Macau and Hong Kong resumed after Signal No. 8 was lowered, with the first sailings departing the Taipa Ferry Terminal at 3:30 p.m. and the Outer Harbour at 4 p.m.

In his regular review of typhoon response, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak said that although wind and rain were not severe, civil protection personnel carried out contingency plans effectively.

Wong noted that four injuries were reported during the storm, one requiring hospitalization for a fracture. According to information reviewed by the Times, the injuries were related to motorcycle traffic accidents during the 18-hour period.

He added that during Tapah’s passage, the COPC received 23 calls, mostly concerning typhoon conditions, parking lot operations, bridge closures, and border crossing procedures.

The Public Security Police Force also continued its crackdown on illegal taxis, reporting one case of a taxi driver’s violation and three cases of unlawful transport using private vehicles.

Tapah makes landfall in southern China, forcing evacuations and school closures

Schools closed, flights were disrupted and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in southern China as Tropical Storm Tapah made landfall yesterday.

The economic hub of Guangdong province halted some train and ferry services ahead of the storm, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Dozens of scenic areas were closed and some 60,000 people were evacuated across the region by Sunday afternoon, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

CCTV said the storm made landfall around the coastal area of Taishan city in Guangdong at around 8:50 a.m. local time, with maximum sustained winds near its center reaching 30 meters per second.

Hong Kong’s observatory raised its No. 8 storm signal on Sunday night, the third-highest in the city’s weather system. It said Tapah was packing maximum sustained winds near the center of about 68 miles (110 kilometers) per hour at 9 a.m.

The financial hub saw about 100 flights canceled, with some travelers sleeping on chairs as they waited for travel information at the airport.

A runway at the airport was closed after an HK Express plane from Beijing hit the grass during landing. Smoke reportedly was seen coming from its landing gear at one point. No injuries were reported and it was unclear whether the incident was related to weather, police said.

12 people were injured in the storm and sent to hospitals for treatment. The government received over 160 reports of toppled trees and three flooding cases in the city, with hundreds of people seeking refuge in temporary centers. MDT/AP