Nuri Causes Hong Kong To Close

Hong Kong wears a deserted look as markets, stock offices and business areas stayed close in preparation for Typhoon Nuri.

The No. 9 Storm Signal was still in effect at 6 p.m. local time, the Hong Kong Observatory warned its citizens to stay indoors as sudden, violent winds were expected in the city as the eye of Severe Tropical Storm Nuri passed over the city after weakening from the typhoon strength.

The eye of Nuri, the 13th storm of the northwestern Pacific cyclone season is forecast to move northwest at about 14 kilometers per hour.

The observatory stated that there could be temporary lull that could last from a few minutes to several hours followed by a sudden resumption of violent winds from different directions.

Hong Kong's streets in Central District were deserted. There were branches strewn across some highways. 246,000 people were evacuated from Guangdong across the China border.

All lanes on Shenzhen Bay Bridge closed, and ferries between Hong Kong, the outlying islands and Macau halted. Chinese government departments were also asked to prepare for the typhoon's landfall.

Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong's biggest carrier, and other airlines canceled or delayed 188 flights to and from the city. Another six flights were diverted.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. said it canceled trading for the afternoon session as well as the morning.

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 2.6 percent yesterday. It was luck that ong Kong markets didn't open today to avoid further slump.

Hong Kong is frequently hit by typhoons and tropical storms during the northern hemisphere's summer. Tropical Storm Kammuri pummeled the city earlier this month, forcing schools and markets to close and delaying the delivery of horses for equestrian events at the Olympics.