Macau’s observatory announced this afternoon that it will lower Typhoon Signal No. 10 (T10), the highest of its five-level storm warning system, to Signal No. 8 (T8) at 4 p.m. The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) said in a statement at 2 p.m. that Super Typhoon Ragasa was expected to weaken gradually.
The observatory noted that “Ragasa continues to move in a west-northwest direction and is gradually moving away from Macau, with its intensity also weakening slowly.” Therefore, according to the statement, the bureau will replace Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 10 with Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 at 4 p.m. Macau has a five-level storm warning system (T1, T3, T8, T9, and T10).
However, the bureau warned that Macau is still under the influence of the core circulation of Ragasa, with gale-force winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms, urging the public to continue to pay attention to the impact of the severe weather. Affected by this morning’s storm surge, the flood level in the Inner Harbour area exceeded 1.5 metres. “It is expected that the flood level will gradually recede in the next few hours, and the bureau will issue a lower-level storm surge warning depending on the situation,” the bureau stated.
At 2 p.m., according to the statement, Ragasa was estimated to be about 110 km southwest of Macau and was forecast to move west-northwest at around 20 km/h towards the coast of western Guangdong Province. The bureau also warned that its Red Storm Surge Warning will continue for the time being. Macau has a five-level Storm Surge Warning system, with Red being the second most severe.
Meanwhile, power utility CEM said in a statement this afternoon that its electricity supply suspension in flooded low-lying areas, which was carried out this morning, would be lifted gradually as soon as possible.
Macau’s Civil Protection Operations Centre reported in a statement at 2 p.m. that 612 people sought shelter in the government’s various emergency centres during the typhoon. It also reported 141 incidents, such as fallen trees, scaffolding, and other objects, resulting in one injury.
As long as T8 is hoisted, public transport in Macau (public buses, ferries, light rapid transit) will remain suspended. Schools and banks will stay closed today. Border checkpoints, casinos, and bridges are set to reopen gradually once the typhoon no longer poses a major threat to Macau, official sources said. Residents interviewed by The Macau Post Daily during the day expressed satisfaction with the government's preparations for and response to the super typhoon.
This photo taken this morning shows one of Macau's low-lying neighbourhoods affected by flooding during the government's Red Storm Sturge Warning. - Photo: MPDG
