July 21, 2025

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HONG KONG (AP) – Typhoon Wipha toppled trees and caused major flight disruptions yesterday in Hong Kong and at some nearby airports in China as it moved west off the southern coast of the country.

Airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macao canceled or postponed flights for most of the day, according to their websites. Hong Kong grounded at least 400 flights, affecting around 80,000 passengers, broadcaster RTHK said. Some high-speed train services were also suspended.

The typhoon stayed just offshore until about 6pm, when it made landfall in a coastal area of Taishan city in Guangdong province, China’s National Meteorological Center said. It then weakened to a severe tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 108 kilometres per hour (kph).

Earlier yesterday, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a hurricane signal Number 10, its highest warning. The eye of the storm passed just south of the city around midday with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph, the observatory said.

The high winds brought down trees in Zhuhai and other cities on China’s southern coast.

In Hong Kong, vehicles weaved around branches strewn on the streets. Sources said 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.

The storm, which reached typhoon strength overnight, later passed off Macao. It is expected to reach Vietnam later this week.

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

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin