Macau’s observatory lowered all tropical cyclone signals at 8:30 a.m. yesterday, as Tropical Cyclone Nalgae had moved away from Macau and weakened to a tropical depression that made landfall in Zhuhai, diminishing its threat to Macau.
The weather station cancelled Tropical Cyclone Signal No.3 at 8:30 a.m. yesterday which it had hoisted at 7:00 a.m. that morning to replace Signal No.8 which had taken effect at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Blue Storm Surge warning was cancelled at 6 a.m. yesterday, which had been issued at 5 p.m. on Monday.
The observatory forecast today’s weather to be mainly cloudy with occasional showers.
Nalgae spares Macau
Meanwhile, according to a statement by the Civil Protection Operations Centre (COPC) yesterday, no damage or casualties were reported while Signal No.8 was in effect.
The statement noted that the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) opened four emergency centres during the typhoon, but only one person sought shelter there.
During Signal No. 8, the statement pointed out, Macau’s tap water and power supply remained normal.
Since Signal No.3 was still in effect at 6:30 a.m. yesterday, the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) announced in the morning that classes for kindergarteners and primary, secondary and special education school students were suspended for the whole day.
1st Signal No.8 hoisted in Nov in 50 years
Meanwhile, a statement by the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) yesterday said that Nalgae was the fourth tropical cyclone this year that required the issuance of Signal No.8, adding that it was also the first Signal No. 8 to be hoisted in November in 50 years.
The statement said that after entering the northern part of the South China Sea, the intensity of Nalgae gradually weakened, and its circulation had been “significantly” reduced. However, the predicted track was very close to Macau and even expected to pass directly over it. At the same time, according to the forecast, the possibility of Nalgae bringing Force 8 winds to Macau could not be ruled out, which might have posed a threat to the city. Therefore, the weather station hoisted Signal No. 8 based on meteorological risk considerations, according to the statement.
The statement noted that Nalgae’s track was slightly more northward than predicted, eventually passing to the east of Macau and making landfall in Zhuhai. Therefore, the statement added, the area of Force 8 winds associated with the northeast side of Nalgae passed only a few kilometres away from the Macau peninsula.
As for the time difference between Hong Kong and Macau when their respective tropical signals were issued, the statement pointed out that apart from the 60 kilometres distance between Hong Kong and Macau, “which resulted in a three-hour difference” in the timing of the tropical cyclone, it was also related to Nalgae’s moving speed.
This handout photo provided by the Civil Protection Operations Centre (COPC) yesterday shows Macau Customs Service officers patrolling the waterfront after the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone signal No.8 on Wednesday night.
