Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

SHENZHEN’S meteorological observatory yesterday issued a blue alert, the second on a five-tier warning system, for most parts of the city, and a yellow alert for its eastern and western coasts as well as Yantian and Dapeng areas, as Typhoon Wipha approaches western Guangdong and Hainan.

Wipha, the seventh typhoon of the year, delivered heavy rain as it skirted the city yesterday and forced the observatory to issue a yellow alert for torrential downpours.

The city will continue to see heavy rain and strong gales from early today through tomorrow, the observatory said. The rain will ease Saturday.

Wipha was 422 kilometers from Shenzhen at around 5 p.m. yesterday and moving northwesterly at 20 kilometers per hour. It was expected to make landfall between Dianbai City of Guangdong and Qionghai of Hainan early this morning, the observatory said.

By 3 p.m. yesterday, 90 percent of the flights coming in and out of Shenzhen had not been affected. But the ferry services between Shenzhen and Macao, Zhuhai and Zhongshan were suspended.

Macao hoisted Signal No. 8, the third-highest level, yesterday. It canceled all marine transport and most flights, and suspended all school classes.

Hong Kong also issued Signal No. 8 yesterday. All schools and some of Hong Kong’s public services were suspended.

The Airport Authority Hong Kong said flights at Hong Kong International Airport might be affected by Wipha, and passengers should stay alert to their airline’s announcements and confirm their seats before heading to the airport.

Hainan also suspended all ferry services across the Qiongzhou Straits as well as the train services to and from the island.