July 17, 2023
HONG KONG – Severe Tropical Storm Talim intensified on Sunday as strong winds affected many areas in Hong Kong with occasional gales offshore, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
The HKO said there were squally showers and thunderstorms in the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary and it would consider issuing the Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 midnight to Monday morning.
“Talim intensified gradually in the past few hours. According to the present forecast track, Talim will be closest to Hong Kong (on Monday) morning, skirting within about 300 kilometers to the south of Hong Kong,” the HKO said in a weather bulletin issued at 4:45 pm.
Under the combined effect of the storm surge brought by Talim and the spring tide, there may be flooding in coastal low-lying areas Monday morning, it added.
The Observatory said seas were already “rough to very rough with swells” and it advised members of the public to complete precautionary measures against high winds and flooding as soon as possible.
The HKO had issued the Strong Wind Signal No 3 (T3) for Hong Kong on Sunday morning, which meant winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometers per hour were expected.
Between 4 pm and 5 pm Sunday, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Waglan Island, Tate’s Cairn and Cheung Chau Beach reached 68, 65 and 61 kilometers per hour, with maximum gusts exceeding 80, 85 and 75 kilometers per hour, respectively.
At 5 pm, Talim was estimated to be about 340 kilometers south-southeast of Hong Kong and was forecast to move west-northwest at about 15 kilometers per hour in the general direction of Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island, intensifying gradually, the HKO said.
With the Observatory issuing the T3 typhoon warning signal at 5:40 am, classes of kindergartens and schools for children with physical and intellectual disabilities were suspended on Sunday.
The Marine Department also reminded vessel owners to immediately take precautionary measures and properly secure their vessels at safe locations.