Macau has hoisted at 1 a.m. today the No. 10 typhoon signal, the highest of its five-level (No.1, No.3, No.8, No.9, No.10) tropical cyclone warning system.

Hong Kong had issued the No. 10 signal at 8:15 p.m. yesterday.

According to a statement by the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG), Super Typhoon "Saola" was located about 30 km southeast of Macau "and is gradually approaching Macau."

The No.10 signal replaced the No.9 signal, which had been hoisted at 11 p.m. yesterday, and and No.8 signal which had been hoisted at 2 a.m. yesterday.

According to the observatory, No. 10 "means that the centre of the tropical cyclone will strike at the immediate approaches of Macau. Winds with a sustained speed exceeding 118 km/h are expected or blowing in Macau, accompanied with gusts of great intensity."

Last night, the weather station had also issued a Red storm surge warning, the fourth-highest of a five-level warning system. The Red storm surge warning means that the observatory expects floods to reach between 1.5 and 2.5 metres. The bureau forecast more floods today.

The local government last night ordered the temporary closure of the city's 30 casinos, which shut their doors at 11 p.m. In the evening, the local government also closed all border checkpoints at the mainland border at the request of the adjacent city of Zhuhai.

All public bus transport and ferry services have been suspended since shortly after the No.8 signal had been hoisted.

Macau reported tonight heavy rainstorms, as well as flooding in low-lying areas.

Several dozen minor incidents have been reported since yesterday afternoon, such as falling objects. Dozens of people have sought shelter in government-run emergency reception centres, residents from the peninsula's low-lying areas in particular.

Due to Saola, the government delayed the start of the new school year from yesterday, September 1, to next Monday.