storm
Hong Kong returns to normal after Typhoon Saola
People with umbrellas battle strong winds and rain from Typhoon Saola in Hong Kong. photo
© Daniel Ceng/AP/dpa
The densely populated coastal region in southern China has braced itself for the heaviest typhoon in 70 years. But thanks to the broad precautionary measures, “Saola” caused only minimal damage.
The financial metropolis of Hong Kong has the Typhoon “Saola” survived without major damage. As the authorities reported on Saturday, 75 people were treated for injuries in hospitals. Another 511 residents have taken refuge in the city’s 40 shelters during the night hours. Several hundred fallen trees and a landslide were also reported. According to the authorities, there were no fatalities.
Hong Kong gradually returned to normal during the afternoon (local time). As reported by local media, both the airport and local public transport have resumed operations. The Hong Kong weather service had also downgraded the storm warning to “T3”. At times the value was “T10”, the highest level. This has only been issued five times in the last four decades.
When typhoon “Saola” hit the coastal waters of southern China on Saturday night amid heavy rain and gusty winds, fears were huge: the Chinese weather service warned that “Saola” could become the strongest typhoon in the region since 1949. Near its center, winds with speeds of over 200 kilometers per hour were sometimes measured.
However, the fact that there was no major damage has mainly to do with the wide-ranging precautionary measures. Hong Kong closed all schools and kindergartens on Friday evening. Most flight connections have also been cancelled. Schools and kindergartens also remained closed in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong. The citizens were also asked by SMS to temporarily stop their work and if possible not to go outside the door.
“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. In China alone, there have been violent floods in recent months that have claimed the lives of dozens of people.