Hong Kong lowers typhoon warning to T3 after Tropical Cyclone Toraji prompted latest T8 signal on record
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong has downgraded its typhoon warning to a T3 as the Tropical Cyclone Toraji, which prompted the latest T8 storm signal ever issued in a year, departed.
The Hong Kong Observatory said at 9.45 am on Thursday that Toraji had begun to weaken and move away from the territory. The T3 signal was issued at 10.20 am, with occasional showers and rough seas forecast for the rest of the day.
“Members of the public are advised to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports,” the Observatory said.
The T8 typhoon signal was issued at 11.10 pm on Wednesday as Tropical Cyclone Toraji neared, bringing squally showers and strong winds to the city.
As the T8 typhoon warning was downgraded, public transport services largely resumed. All bus routes had started operating by 10.20am on Thursday, while ferry services would resume by around 12pm.
The Education Bureau announced that classes at kindergartens, whole-day primary and secondary schools, and schools for children with disabilities would be suspended on Thursday. Afternoon primary and secondary schools, and schools offering evening classes would resume as normal.
Thursday marked the first time that the Hong Kong stock market did not suspend trading when a T8 typhoon warning was hoisted, after Chief Executive John Lee earlier this year announced new arrangements that took effect in September.
As of 11.30 am, 107 people had taken refuge in 27 temporary shelters opened by the Home Affairs Department across Hong Kong, and government departments had received 13 reports of fallen trees. One woman got injured and was sent to the hospital.
The Hospital Authority said all general and specialist out-patient clinics would start to provide services within two hours if the T8 signal being downgraded.
The Observatory expected the T3 signal to remain in force for most of Thursday.
Latest T8 ever
While Hong Kong’s typhoon season runs from May to November, tropical cyclones tend to develop in the summer months. According to Observatory records, Toraji marked the latest T8 signal ever issued in a year.
Since 1947, when the Observatory implemented the current typhoon warning system, November has seen four tropical cyclones that required the T8 typhoon warning, including Toraji.
In 1954, Hong Kong hoisted a T8 on November 5 and, 6 when Super Typhoon Pamela neared, then in 1972, Severe Typhoon Pamela prompted a T8 on November 8 and 9.
In 2022, Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae saw the T8 signal raised on November 2 and 3.
Typhoon Signal 3
The No. 3 signal warns of strong winds affecting, or expected to affect, Hong Kong within 12 hours.
- Classes of kindergartens and schools for children with physical or intellectual disabilities will be suspended.
- Scheduled ferry services may be cancelled as conditions worsen. Bus and MTR services are not affected.
- Residents should secure loose objects like flower pots or drying racks, and prepare for possible flooding in low-lying areas.
Climate crisis
Tropical cyclones – which get their energy from warm ocean water – are strengthening and become ever more destructive because of warming seas. Over 90 per cent of excess heat in the atmosphere is ending up in oceans, according to NASA, as rising greenhouse gases prevent it from escaping to space.
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