Hong Kong: Tropical Storm Tapah swept past Hong Kong on Monday, forcing widespread closures of schools and businesses and disrupting transportation across the city before making landfall in southern China’s Guangdong province.

The Hong Kong Observatory raised the Typhoon Signal No. 8 late Sunday evening, the third-highest warning in its storm alert system, and kept it in force through Monday morning. An amber rainstorm warning was also issued, signaling heavy downpours across the territory. Public transport including buses, ferries, and trams was suspended, while trains ran at reduced intervals.

At Hong Kong International Airport, sustained winds reached 101 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 151 kilometers per hour, leading to the cancellation of about 100 flights. Authorities reported around 20 incidents of fallen trees, while two people were injured and hospitalized. Despite strong winds and rains, the city avoided major flooding or landslides.

In Guangdong, Tapah made landfall at Taishan around 8:50 a.m. local time. Officials evacuated roughly 60,000 residents, suspended train and ferry services, and closed popular tourist sites across the province. Macau also halted bus and ferry links with Hong Kong, canceled dozens of flights, and reported minor flooding in low-lying areas.

Meteorologists noted that sea surface temperatures in the region remain unusually high, around 30 degrees Celsius, creating favorable conditions for storm formation. While the number of tropical cyclones may not increase, experts warn their intensity is likely to rise due to climate change, underscoring the importance of continued investment in seawalls, drainage, and disaster preparedness.

Tropical Storm Tapah’s passage highlights both the vulnerability of densely populated coastal regions to extreme weather and the effectiveness of precautionary measures that helped reduce casualties and damage. Authorities across the region remain on alert as typhoon season continues.