Wipha brings first T10 in nearly two years; five injured, 163 incidents logged

Typhoon Wipha swept past Macau on Sunday, triggering the city’s first Typhoon Signal No. 10 in nearly two years and causing widespread disruption, though major catastrophe was avoided.

The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) issued Signal No. 8 at 4 a.m., upgraded to Signal No. 9 by 11 a.m., and finally hoisted the highest warning, Signal No. 10, at 12:30 p.m.

The alert remained in effect for four and a half hours as Wipha skirted just 30 kilometers south of the city, bringing sustained winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching Level 14.

By 5 p.m., as the storm moved west-northwest and began to weaken, the alert was downgraded to Signal No. 8. Signal No. 3 was issued at 10:30 p.m., officially ending the state of immediate prevention.

According to the Civil Protection Operations Center, 163 storm-related incidents were reported, including 54 cases involving collapsed trees, damaged lamp posts, and falling debris. Five individuals sustained injuries, though none were life-threatening.

Among the most serious structural incidents was the partial collapse of the façade at the Nova Grand residential complex in Taipa.

No injuries were reported, and Shun Tak Group confirmed immediate inspections and pledged follow-up repairs.

Similar wall damage occurred at the Seac Pai Van public housing estate.

At the height of the storm, all four cross-sea bridges, including the Macau Bridge, were closed.

Border checkpoints such as the Border Gate, Qingmao Port, and the Zhuhai-Macau Cross-Border Industrial Zone were also temporarily shut but resumed operations around 5 p.m. after coordination with Zhuhai authorities and a dispatch order from the Chief Executive under the Civil Protection Law.

The Macau International Airport cancelled at least 140 flights due to the severe weather. Authorities urged passengers to check their flight status and city traffic conditions before heading to the airport.

As cited in media reports, only a small number of travelers were stranded at the terminal, where airport staff remained on hand to assist.

TurboJET ferry services between Macau and Hong Kong resumed limited operations Sunday night, and full services were expected to return to normal yesterday.

Routes to Shenzhen and some areas of Zhuhai remain suspended pending safety clearance.

Vehicles that failed to cross the border under the “Macau cars going North” program on July 19 to 21 will not be penalized or counted toward monthly quotas, the Transport Bureau said.

Public transport, including bus and LRT services, was suspended under Signal No. 8, while special transport for hotel employees continued.

Services resumed overnight after Signal No. 3 took effect. Free parking at the HZMB West Car Park remained available until wind signals were fully lifted.

Despite the conditions, most casinos remained open.

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau stated that casinos were permitted to operate to avoid large outdoor gatherings and provide shelter to tourists and employees.

Wind speeds peaked late Saturday night, prompting a yellow storm surge warning.

However, flooding was averted as heavy rainfall did not coincide with high tides.

Nine public car parks in flood-prone districts, including Inner Harbor and Avenida de Horta e Costa, were closed and sealed with flood barriers.

The Municipal Affairs Bureau reported that many parks, recreational trails, and sports facilities suffered damage.

Most of the city’s eight public markets reopened yesterday, though some public pools and the Coloane Karting Track remain closed pending further cleanup.

SMG noted that Wipha was the fifth typhoon to trigger a Signal No. 10 in Macau since 2017.

The bureau expects five to eight tropical cyclones to affect the region in 2025.

In Hong Kong, vehicles weaved around branches strewn on the streets. The government said that it had received more than 450 reports of fallen trees and that 26 people had sought medical treatment at public hospitals. A statement didn’t provide details on any injuries.

More than 250 people had sought refuge in public shelters, the statement said. Hong Kong Disneyland and other amusement parks were closed.

Wipha, which is a Thai name, passed over the Philippines at tropical storm strength and drenched parts of Taiwan on Saturday.

Elsewhere in Asia, five days of torrential rain in South Korea has left 14 people dead and 12 others missing, the government said Sunday.