Storm warning downgraded to No 1 as Hong Kong escapes worst of Severe Tropical Storm Pakhar

Fast-moving storm caused fatal truck accident and more than 300 flights to be cancelled or delayed

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A view across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday morning. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 5:30am, 27 Aug 2017Updated: 6:19pm, 27 Aug 2017

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No 1 storm signal on Sunday afternoon, downgrading its warning to the city after Severe Tropical Storm Pakhar made landfall in neighbouring Guangdong province earlier in the day.

The weather forecaster lowered its No 8 signal for Hong Kong at 1.40pm and replaced it with No 3, and downgraded it further at 5.40pm to a No 1 signal, as the city avoided a direct hit and further damage following Typhoon Hato’s destruction last week.

Rescuers in Hong Kong save 11 at sea and two on mountain while Severe Tropical Storm Pakhar batters city

Pakhar, named after a freshwater fish that lives in the lower Mekong River, made landfall at Taishan – a city some 77km west of Macau – at around 9am, Macau’s Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau said.

The fast-moving storm intensified, causing dozens in the city to seek medical treatment and leading to at least one fatality.

A light truck overturned on Yuen Long Highway near an access road to the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, when it was heading towards Tuen Mun before 7am Sunday.

A man at Heng Fa Chuen as Pakhar approached the city on Sunday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Its driver was thrown from the vehicle and fell into a coma at the scene, police said. He was certified dead of a severe neck injury at Tuen Mun Hospital. Two passengers with minor injuries were sent to the hospital.