Ginnie Liang
Macau’s observatory hoisted Typhoon Signal No.8 at 10 p.m. today, and it said in a statement tonight that it expects the storm-warning signal to remain up until noon tomorrow, with only a “relatively low” probability of needing to hoist Typhoon Signal No.9 tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s observatory, which hoisted Typhoon Signal No.8 at 6:20 p.m. today, also forecast tonight that its third highest storm warning signal will remain in force at least until noon today.
Macau's Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) forecast that Super Typhoon “Yagi” will pass by Macau at a distance of 300 kilometres early tomorrow, when winds in Macau will rapidly strengthen with frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms.
The Blue Storm Surge Warning is also in force, and the local observatory forecast tonight that there will be about half a metre of flooding in the low-lying Inner Harbour areas from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. today, adding that if Yagi takes a more northerly path, the flooding may become more pronounced, because of which the likelihood of issuing the Yellow Storm Surge Warning was “moderate to high”.
Public bus services in Macau have been suspended tonight due to Signal No.8, with the city's public buses services suspended after the last buses of the city’s two public bus operators, TCM and Transmac, started their last trips at 11:00 p.m today, the Transport Bureau (DSAT) said in a statement tonight.
The shuttle bus service across the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge was suspended from 7:20 p.m. today, after all ferry services between Macau and Hong Kong were suspended in the afternoon. Macau's Light Rail Transit (LRT) service was also suspended, after the last trains from the Taipa Ferry Terminal Station and Barra Station departed at 9:00 p.m., according to the Transport Bureau.
The bureau reminded drivers in a statement tonight not to park their vehicles in low-lying areas. The bureau also said that it has arranged with the city’s six integrated resorts to open more than 3,700 free parking spaces for the public as long as Signal No. 8 is iup.
The three Macau-Taipa bridges and the Lotus Flower Bridge between Macau's Cotai entertainment precinct and Zhuhai's Hengqin Island, all were closed at 11 p.m. today due to the typhoon threat, according to the bureau. However, as usual, the enclosed lower deck of the Macau-Taipa Friendship Bridge will remain open.
Macau International Airport (MFM) had cancelled a total of 178 flights as of 8:00 p.m. to night due to the typhoon, and as most flights have been cancelled, passengers have been urged to call the airport hotline at 2886 1111 or their respective airlines for the latest flight schedules, or check the airport's website for real-time information, according to a statement issued by the Macau Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) tonight.
By government order, all schools will remain closed during Signal No.8, but Macau's 30 casinos may choose to stay open.
The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) urged residents to store their garbage at home temporarily during Typhoon Signal No. 8, so as to prevent garbage cans from being pushed onto the streets and blown over by the typhoon.
The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) reminded visitors to pay attention to the update of the city's public transportation service and can call the bureau at its 24-hour hotline 2833 3000 for any enquiries.
Macau's supermarkets and wet markets reported brisk business during the day, and shoppers complained about empty shelves for fresh food in particular.
Caption: photo taken tonight at a supermarket near the Qingmao pedestrian border checkpoint shows empty food shelves.
