T3 replaces T8 as storm moves away from HK

The Observatory issued the T3 signal in place of T8 at 10.20am on Thursday as Hong Kong gradually returns to normalcy with the departure of Tropical Storm Toraji. The T8 had been up for more than 11 hours, with the SAR largely unscathed as the storm skirted around 130km south of the city. The storm led to the cancellation of 10 flights, with 20 others delayed. Officials said the airport would operate as normal for the day and should be able to handle more than 1,000 flights. Other modes of public transport would also gradually get back to normal. The MTR Corporation and bus companies said most services have gradually resumed to normal frequencies as T3 replaced T8. Shuttle buses to the bridge to Zhuhai and Macau would return to full operations from 10.30am. Meanwhile, ferry services between Discovery Bay and Central would also resume from 10.40am. Sun Ferry said outlying island ferry services would resume from 11.30am, while Star Ferry said its cross-harbour services between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central as well as Wan Chai would resume at noon. The Hospital Authority said public out-patient and specialist out-patient clinics as well as day services would gradually resume within two hours after T8 was replaced. The authority also said patients whose appointments were affected by the storm, and who made their bookings through the phone or the mobile app, HA Go, could make a new appointment from 11.20am. For the first time during a T8, the stock market stayed open under a new arrangement introduced in September to keep trading going despite adverse weather. Tourist spots would also reopen gradually. Hong Kong Disneyland said it would provide limited services from 11.30am, while Ocean Park would do the same from noon. The West Kowloon Cultural District would reopen at 1pm, and tickets to M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum were extended for 60 days.