Typhoon Wipha shows power in Hong Kong

A screen displays a weather reminder at the Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, south China, July 20, 2025. Typhoon Wipha passes through Hong Kong with hurricane signal No. 10 issued, bringing severe weather and citywide disruptions. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the top level warning at 9:20 a.m. local time on Sunday. This means that winds with speeds of 118 km per hour or more are expected. Hundreds of flights are cancelled or rescheduled, according to Airport Authority Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Typhoon Wipha passes through Hong Kong with hurricane signal No. 10 issued, bringing severe weather and citywide disruptions.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the top level warning at 9:20 a.m. local time on Sunday. This means that winds with speeds of 118 km per hour or more are expected.

At around 9 a.m. local time, as rain poured relentlessly, Xinhua reporters, wrapped tightly in a raincoat, struggled to walk along a footbridge near the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island.

At that moment, a traveler slipped on the road, her suitcase skidding far across the waterlogged pavement. She stumbled forward to retrieve it, but a sudden gust of wind blocked her, forcing her to take shelter behind a footbridge pillar.

An MTR Corporation staff member checked the conditions at the Exhibition Centre station exit. Her brightly colored uniform stood out vividly against the gloomy sky.

"Signal No. 10 is now in effect, get home quickly!" she said repeatedly to every passerby.

As at 2 p.m. local time, 363 reports of fallen trees have been received with no report of landslides or flooding so far.

On the streets, some railings were blown askew by strong winds, and some construction scaffolding had collapsed.

Due to the storm, many public services and activities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have been suspended, including the classes of all schools. All welfare services units of the Social Welfare Department are closed.

The outdoor light and music show "A Symphony of Lights" across the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong will also be canceled tonight.

Land, sea, and air transport have been affected too. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has been closed. Hundreds of flights are cancelled or rescheduled, according to Airport Authority Hong Kong.

At the Hong Kong International Airport, the flight information screens showed a sea of red "canceled" notices. Many stranded passengers remained inside the terminal, with some spreading out their jackets and lying down to rest.

Mr. Gong and Ms. Wang from the Chinese mainland had planned to fly to Vietnam Sunday afternoon.

"We received a message in the morning saying the flight was delayed, but only found out it had been cancelled once we got to the airport," Gong said.

According to the Hospital Authority, 14 people have sought medical treatment at the accident and emergency departments at public hospitals so far during the typhoon period.

The Home Affairs Department of the HKSAR government has opened temporary shelters for needy people.

Typhoon Wipha, the sixth typhoon of the year, is expected to make landfall along the South China's coast Sunday afternoon or evening.

The previous typhoon signal No. 10 was issued in Hong Kong under the effect of super typhoon Saola in September 2023.