The local observatory hoisted the No.1 standby storm warning signal at noon yesterday, which will remain in force until the No.3 tropical cyclone signal might be hoisted tonight or tomorrow morning, as Tropical Storm “Yagi” has entered the South China Sea and is forecast to further strengthen and gradually move towards the South China coast between today and tomorrow.
The Yellow Rainstorm Warning Signal was also hoisted at 11:35 p.m. last night, while the Thunderstorm Warning Signal was hoisted at 11:15 p.m.
Yagi, according to the weather station, is forecast to cross the north of the South China Sea in a west-northwest direction, moving between the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island, with a chance of it becoming a strong typhoon.
The national observatory forecast yesterday that Yagi will make landfall between eastern Hainan and western Guangdong Province on Friday as a strong typhoon.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s observatory, which hoisted the No.1 standby storm warning signal at 5 p.m. yesterday, forecast that the weather will take a turn for the worse later this week along the coast of Guangdong, with strong winds and showers, large waves and swells.
Macau’s observatory said that it is closely monitoring the track of Yagi, urging the public to pay attention to the bureau’s latest weather information.
A separate statement by the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) yesterday urged members of the public and contractors to take precautionary measures for buildings and construction sites as early as possible, especially for scaffolding and cranes, which should be subject to detailed inspections and reinforcing measures by professionals, and members of the public are also advised to avoid approaching the areas of construction during typhoons.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) also urged people in charge of heritage buildings, especially those located in low-lying areas, to take proper measures against winds and floods in order to protect the safety of heritage buildings, according to a separate IC statement yesterday.
Another statement issued yesterday by the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre (CPTTM) and the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) appealed to business operators, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located in low-lying areas to make proper preparations and take precautionary measures against flooding and rainstorms in order to avoid loss of goods and equipment.
This graphic provided by the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) at 11 p.m. yesterday shows the projected trajectory of Tropical Storm Yagi moving westwards towards the South China Sea.
