In the wake of typhoon Saola, 55 people in Hong Kong have had to be treated for injuries in hospitals. As the Hong Kong authorities reported in the morning, around 500 other residents had also sought refuge in emergency shelters because of the storm.
Hong Kongers also reported around 80 cases of fallen trees and about a dozen cases of flooding. According to the current state of knowledge, however, there have been no landslides.
The public should remain vigilant
During the night, typhoon “Saola” reached the coastal waters of southern China and Hong Kong amid heavy rain and gusts of wind. The Chinese Weather Service warned that “Saola” could become the strongest typhoon to hit the region since 1949. Hong Kong had all schools and kindergartens closed on Friday evening. Most flight connections have also been cancelled.
By Saturday morning local time, the situation in the financial metropolis had relaxed somewhat. The local weather service nonetheless urged the Hong Kong public to remain vigilant.
“Saola” is the ninth typhoon to hit the region this year. The powerful hurricanes occur again and again in the summer months and affect numerous countries in Southeast Asia.
