The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) hoisted its Standby Signal No. 1 at 7 p.m. yesterday, which it predicted will “remain in effect” until this morning.
The weather station did not say whether it expected to hoist a higher warning signal today.
According to the observatory, a tropical depression (T.D.) was 770 kilometres south-southeast of the city at 7 p.m., which is moving towards the western coast of Guangdong province.
The bureau said in a statement that the T.D. over the central part of the South China Sea will strengthen gradually in the next couple of days, and move towards the western coast of Guangdong province and Hainan province. Therefore, the observatory forecast a “medium to relatively high” possibility of hoisting Signal No.3 tomorrow morning.
The statement noted that since another area of low pressure was expected to develop in the ocean to the east of the Philippines, the intensity and track of the T.D. “remains uncertain”.
It added that the observatory will issue higher warning signals if the tropical cyclone takes a more northward track towards the city.
Under the impact of the tropical cyclone’s broad circulation and rainbands, the observatory predicted unsettled weather, adding that the winds will intensify with frequent showers and thunderstorms from Friday to Sunday.
The statement noted that during the high phase of the astronomical tide, in which Macau’s weather will be affected by a storm surge and persistent rain, flooding below 0.5 metres was expected to occur in the Inner Harbour area on Friday and Saturday between morning and noon. Therefore, the bureau urged the public to take precautions against wind and floods in advance and pay close attention to the latest weather information.
Govt urges public to take precautions
Meanwhile, the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) urged outdoor workers in a statement yesterday to avoid going to low-lying areas or places where flood warnings were issued, and protect their electrical tools from getting wet, which could cause an electric shock. The bureau also urged the workers to pay close attention to whether the ground is wet which may cause injuries if they fall. The statement underlined that employers should also pay close attention to the weather changes while informing their employees in time and taking pre-determined measures to protect their employees’ safety.
The Culture Affairs Bureau (IC) urged all persons in charge of heritage sites to take timely and necessary measures to protect the premises from the storm and flooding.
The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) urged the maritime sector, including piers in the Inner Harbour, to pay close attention to sea surface conditions and the changes in water levels, to ensure the safety of vessels and keep ropes steady, so as to protect personal safety or prevent suffering cargo loss caused by the severe weather.
According to a statement by the Marine and Water Bureau, it will inform the Inner Harbour contact persons to activate floodgates in accordance with the government’s interim flood prevention notification mechanism. The statement added that during the current fishing moratorium, there are over 100 fishing vessels moored in the Inner Harbour, so the bureau urged the vessels’ owners to implement measures to protect their ships from the storm.
Moreover, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEST) and the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre (CPTTM) urged businesses, especially those in low-lying areas, in a joint statement yesterday to take precautions against the storm and floods, in order to avoid loss of goods and equipment. The statement underlined that businesses should also pay close attention to the latest weather announcements issued by the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Observatory issued the Standby Signal No. 1 at 9:10 p.m. yesterday, as a tropical depression edged closer to Hong Kong.
The still unnamed storm is forecast to move north-northwest at about 10 km per hour in the general direction of the coast of western Guangdong, Hong Kong’s public broadcaster RTHK said.
The Hong Kong Observatory said the standby signal will remain in force before noon today.
It added, according to RTHK, the latest forecast track showed that the tropical depression will keep a distance of more than 500 km from Hong Kong until this morning and local winds were not expected to strengthen much by then.
