Hong Kong authorities have issued the highest tropical cyclone warning, triggering maximum alert for Typhoon Wipha, which has closed schools and led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights to and from the city. According to the city’s meteorological observatory, at 10 AM Sunday, Wipha was located approximately 60 kilometers southeast of Hong Kong. Massive waves were observed off the eastern coast of Hong Kong Island.
Hong Kong issued its highest storm-warning signal as Typhoon Wipha brought heavy rain and wind, forcing the cancellation of more than 200 flights https://t.co/eNm8aqsSl0 pic.twitter.com/WDIfmLf2Nt
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 20, 2025
Hong Kong raises highest alert level for Typhoon Wipha
The observatory issued a T10 warning, the highest alert level, stating that “winds with average speeds of 118 kilometers per hour or more are expected” and that these winds “pose a serious threat to Hong Kong”.
Chinese provinces Hainan and Guangdong were also placed on high alert, according to state news agency Xinhua. The storm, which gained typhoon strength overnight, was heading toward Macau and the nearby Chinese city of Zhuhai. It was expected to make landfall late Sunday and then move westward, reaching Vietnam later in the week.
❗️🇭🇰🌀🇨🇳 – Typhoon Wipha brought heavy rains and strong winds to Hong Kong, causing fallen trees, collapsed scaffolding, and sending over 200 people to temporary shelters.
The storm, which recorded over 110 mm of rain in three hours and wind gusts exceeding 167 kph, was… pic.twitter.com/D7R2TXtrxJ
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) July 20, 2025
Hundreds seek shelter as Hong Kong faces typhoon chaos
A Hong Kong airport authority spokesperson said Sunday that approximately 500 flights were cancelled due to weather conditions, while about 400 were rescheduled for later the same day.
Hundreds of people took refuge in temporary government-operated shelters. One man sought emergency medical assistance at a public hospital Sunday morning, while authorities received more than twelve reports of fallen trees.
Authorities suspended classes at all day schools and kindergartens for Sunday. Local trains operated with limited services, while traffic was completely suspended on certain outdoor sections of the line.
Wipha caused heavy rainfall and flooding in the Philippines, where two people have been reported missing, according to the country’s national disaster management council.
Hong Kong last activated the T10 signal for Super Typhoon Saola in 2023.
