A super typhoon called ‘Lagasa’, the 18th of its kind this season, is approaching southern China and Hong Kong, leading to emergency responses being implemented.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 23rd (local time), the Hong Kong Observatory issued a “Typhoon Signal No. 8” for Lagasa at 2 PM, which is accompanied by strong winds reaching maximum speeds of 230 km/h. This typhoon is reported to be more powerful than ‘Saola’ (210 km/h), which struck Hong Kong in 2021, and there is a possibility that a higher-level warning could be issued by late evening or on the morning of the 24th.
Since the previous day, at least 700 flights have been canceled in Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific announced the suspension of about 500 flights, and low-cost carrier HK Express anticipated halting around 100 flights. All flights in Guangzhou have been canceled. Hong Kong’s education authorities have decided to close all kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools temporarily.
Shenzhen, an industrial hub in Guangdong Province, has initiated a Level 1 emergency response to prevent typhoon and flood damages from 6 PM. All workplaces and business operations have been halted, and city officials have been instructed to adopt a “battle-ready” stance. Citizens have been advised to refrain from going outside.
In southern China, supermarkets and grocery stores are showing empty shelves due to panic buying by residents. Farmers are also hurrying to harvest and ship their produce in anticipation of potential damage. China’s Central Meteorological Observatory has predicted that Lagasa will make landfall in the Zhuhai region of Guangdong Province between noon and evening on the 24th.