Amber Rainstorm signal up as Wipha draws nearer
The downpour is going to hit Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan particularly hard, reaching over 100 and 70 millimetres per hour respectively. File photo: RTHK
The Hong Kong Observatory on Friday issued the Amber Rainstorm warning signal at 11.15am as tropical cyclone Wipha edges closer to Hong Kong.
According to the present forecast, the storm is 460 kilometres northeast of Manila at 10am and will move northwest at 22 kilometres per hour towards the vicinity of Luzon Strait.
Wipha is expected to intensify gradually.
The forecaster said rain is particularly heavy in Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan, reaching over 100 millimetres and 70 millimetres per hour respectively, which may cause flooding in those areas.
It added that a Red Rainstorm warning signal may be issued depending on further weather developments.
It further called on everyone to be on guard this weekend as Wipha will be closest to the city on Sunday.
Speaking on an RTHK programme, acting senior scientific officer Shum Chi-tai says Wipha will bring strong winds and thunderstorms.
He warned of uncertainties on the storm's track.
"According to the present forecast, Wipha will be closest to Hong Kong on Sunday. But this is still subject to its distance with the Pearl River Estuary," Shum said.
"Wipha is currently east of the Philippines, so we will take note of the impact on the cyclone when it passes through Luzon."
Shum added that the storm will enter within 800 kilometres of Hong Kong between Friday night and early Saturday morning, and the Observatory will issue the Standby Signal No 1 sometime during that period.
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