The Hong Kong Observatory has said it will issue the No 8 warning signal 2.20pm on Tuesday as Super Typhoon Ragasa is expected to bring hurricane-force winds with speeds of up to 230km/h (143mph) and thunderstorms.
The forecaster says the weather will deteriorate “rapidly” later on Tuesday and that it will assess the need to issue a higher warning signal later in the evening or the next morning when the super typhoon is expected to be closest to the city.
At least 700 flights were due to be cancelled from Tuesday evening. Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways said it cancelled 500 flights, while its budget arm HK Express would axe 100. Hong Kong Airlines would cancel around 90 flights, while Hong Kong-based carrier Greater Bay Airlines cut at least 23.
All kindergarten, primary and secondary school classes on Tuesday and Wednesday have been cancelled.
Follow the Post’s live coverage as Ragasa, a Filipino word meaning “rapid” or “fast motion”, hits the city.
Reporting by Wynna Wong, Angeline Jiang, Fiona Sun, Ambrose Li and Jeffie Lam
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