T8 to be downgraded at 10.20am as Toraji departs

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) said it will downgrade the T8 storm signal to T3 at 10.20am – in time for students of afternoon primary and secondary schools to go back to class. The Observatory said winds are expected to weaken as Tropical Storm Toraji slowly moves away after coming within 130 kilometres of the territory. “Toraji is now closest to the territory”, the HKO said in a statement issued at 6.45am. “Toraji is expected to weaken and move away from Hong Kong, and local winds will moderat gradually during the day today.” Forecasters are nonetheless expecting occasional squally showers on Thursday. They also urged people to stay away from the shoreline, as seas are very rough with swells. The T8 signal was issued at 11.10pm on Wednesday night. However, the storm didn’t have any major impact on the city, with authorities receiving just three reports of fallen trees as of 6am, with no reports of landslides or flooding. One woman sought treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department at a public hospital during the T8 signal. Most students will get a day off, with morning and whole-day classes cancelled for the day. However, afternoon and evening classes will resume. Many public services, including outpatient services at hospitals and social welfare care centres will be suspended during the storm’s passage. All court hearings in the morning were also adjourned, while afternoon hearings will be held as scheduled. Meanwhile, the MTR Corporation said it would continue providing rail services – albeit at limited frequencies. It said trains on most lines would run at 10-minute intervals, while there would be 15 minutes between trains operating between Tiu Keng Leng and Lohas Park, and a 20-minute gap on the Disneyland Resort line, as well as for East Rail trains running between Admiralty and Lok Ma Chau. Light rail services would run at intervals of between 15 and 20 minutes during the T8 signal. More than 100 people have sought shelter at 27 temporary shelters opened in various districts by the Home Affairs Department.