Update: Typhoon Signal No. 9 possible as Signal No. 8 set for early issuance

Macau may be placed under Typhoon Signal No. 9 tomorrow morning as Signal No. 8 is scheduled to be hoisted at 4 a.m., according to the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG).

Tropical Storm “Wipha” is forecast to edge closer to the Pearl River Estuary and intensify as it approaches, bringing strong winds, squally showers, and thunderstorms to the region throughout the day.

Weather authorities warn that there is a medium to relatively high probability of Signal No. 9 being issued in the morning, and a medium chance that Signal No. 10 may follow later in the day should Wipha continue to strengthen.

The Yellow Storm Surge Warning will take effect at 11 p.m. tonight, with a chance of flooding in low-lying areas and the Inner Harbour.

The Macau International Airport has announced that, as of 9 p.m., a total of 77 departing flights and 81 arriving flights scheduled for July 19 and 20 have been cancelled.

In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific said that all flights arriving or departing between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. tomorrow would be canceled or delayed.

Wipha had maximum sustained winds of 101 kph (63 mph) and gusts up to 126 kph (78 mph) as it passed south of Taiwan today, the island’s Central News Agency said.

The storm earlier crossed the Philippines, where a parked truck was crushed by a billboard-like structure that was toppled by high winds in Quezon City, north of Manila.

Updated at 11:10 p.m.