The typhoon caused 35 deaths and heavy damage in the Philippines. It is now heading towards southern China and Hainan Island. In Hong Kong, where a grade eight storm signal has been issued, schools, courts and government offices are closed. Departure suspended for dozens of flights at the airport; ferry terminals to Macau and the Islands are not operating.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Typhoon Nesat is upon Hong Kong, after leaving a trail of death and destruction in the Philippines, with 35 deaths and 45 missing. In Hong Kong a No. 8 storm warning (10 is the highest) was issued, and will remain in force throughout the day today. Schools and government offices are closed, and this morning the financial market in Hong Kong was not operational, and will be closed in the afternoon. For the moment no deaths have been recorded in Hong Kong in conjunction with Nesat; but there have been several persons injured in Kowloon, struck by debris or branches of trees ripped off by violent winds reaching 100 km/h.

The typhoon caused delays at Hong Kong airport. Cathay Pacific announced that all flights are operating, but the airport website reveals that at least 40 flights have been delayed due to weather conditions. Ferry terminals that link Hong Kong to Macau, southern China and the outlying islands were also closed. Macau also has been affected by Nesat; schools and public offices are closed today.

Once it has cleared Hong Kong, the typhoon will head towards the Chinese island of Hainan. The damages caused by Nesat to the Philippines are huge: damage to agriculture hovers at almost 2 million euro; about 190,000 people have been affected more or less heavily by its passage. Tropical cyclones have been striking Hong Kong, the Philippines and other coastal regions of southern China on a regular basis during the summer and early autumn. The epicenter of the typhoon is now about 370 miles southwest of Hong Kong.

• China Hong Kong economy
• the Philippines Typhoon Nesat