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Jo Bowman

The biggest storm to threaten Hong Kong in 20 years brought transport chaos, communication breakdowns and school closures as it closed in on the territory last night.

Gradually strengthening gales of 60km/h and upwards lashed the SAR after storm signal No 8 was hoisted at 7.30pm.

Moving in a northwesterly direction at a speed of 20km/h, Typhoon Utor was expected to hit the Guangdong coast 100km east of Hong Kong early this morning. The Hong Kong Observatory warned that Utor would bring more than 100 millimetres of rain today and tomorrow.

There were no reports of injuries but air, sea and land transport was seriously disrupted. Some mobile phone networks also broke down for about an hour last night.

Despite the disruption, there were only limited problems at ferry terminals before 8pm and on the buses as the Observatory warned people to batten down the hatches.

At the airport, 22 flights were cancelled and 31 flights were delayed.

Cathay Pacific cancelled all incoming flights due to arrive after 8pm last night because of the typhoon.

'We have taken the decision to cancel flights in advance due to the likelihood of very high winds and heavy rain bands associated with Typhoon Utor,' said Cathay general manager of operations Jeff Turner.

Asked why the flights had been cancelled when Cathay usually let individual pilots decide whether the conditions were right for take-off or landing, a spokeswoman said: 'This is the strongest typhoon in 20 years.'

Virgin Atlantic, which had a flight to London due to leave at 11.25pm, said it was carrying on as usual. If winds were strong and in a certain direction close to take-off time, it would consider a delay or cancellation then.

Dragonair's last flight was due to arrive at 11.30pm and a spokeswoman said that although the weather was being monitored, operations were continuing as usual for the time being.

According to the Airport Authority, the only airline to have called off night flights by early evening was China Airlines. One of its jets crashed at Chek Lap Kok, killing three people, during a typhoon in August 1999.

All outlying island ferry services were suspended and cross-border ferries cancelled after the No 8 signal was raised. Magician David Copperfield postponed his show at the Coliseum.

Many bus services also stopped, but the MTR and KCR maintained limited services. Container terminal operations also came to a standstill. The Transport Department activated its emergency transport co-ordination centre to monitor traffic conditions.

The Home Affairs Department opened 17 temporary shelters and 59 people moved in. In Sheung Shui, villagers expected to be affected by floods were advised to evacuate.

Officials have also opened an emergency centre to deal with expected flood reports. Kindergartens and schools for the handicapped were closed from yesterday afternoon.

The Examinations Authority announced that official results slips for A-Level exams would not be sent to schools if the No 8 signal remained hoisted today. Students can check results on the Internet or collect the slip tomorrow or after 5pm today if the signal has been lowered.

Utor is an Indian word for squall, the Observatory said, and was contributed by the United States.

Yeung King-kay, senior scientific officer of the Observatory, said Utor was not a super-typhoon, as its maximum wind speed was 130km/h. It caused huge damage in the Philippines, leaving 43 dead.

TYPH06GET



SAR puts up shutters as biggest storm in 20 years bears down on Guangdong coast