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Chinese forecasters issued a typhoon red warning at 6 a.m. (2200
GMT). China's National Meteorological Centre said Saola,
currently located about 315 km (183 miles) southeast of
Guangdong province, will move northwest across the South China
Sea at a speed of about 10 kph (6 mph), gradually approaching
the coast of Guangdong, then slowly weaken in intensity.
Wind speeds at noon (0400 GMT) were clocked at 209 kph (130
mph).
Saola will make landfall along the coast somewhere from Huilai
County in Guangdong to Hong Kong on the afternoon to the night
of Sept. 1, the centre said, adding with its forecasted
intensity, it could be among the five strongest typhoons to land
in Guangdong since 1949.
Hong Kong's government said the city would raise its strong wind
signal to No.8 between 2am and 5am on Friday, bringing the city
to an effective standstill with most businesses and the stock
exchange shut.
All schools will be closed on Friday, despite being the first
day of term for many, the government said.
Crowds jostled at fresh food markets in the city's downtown Wan
Chai district on Thursday afternoon with many vegetables already
sold out. Supermarkets saw long queues with people stocking up
ahead of the storm.
Hong Kong's Observatory said it expects heavy rain and violent
winds while the city's water level is expected to "rise
appreciably" until Saturday with potential serious flooding.
As Saola approached, Guangdong's Shenzhen city said it would
upgrade typhoon warning level to yellow - the second lowest - at
6 p.m. on Thursday, and suspend classes at nurseries,
kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.
China Southern Power Grid said it is stepping up inspection of
equipment and strengthening measures to prevent water leakage in
basement power rooms.
China Railway has suspended several major train lines and
Shanghai halted trains heading to Guangdong, according to local
media.
Until 8 a.m. (0000 GMT) Friday there will be heavy rainfall in
parts of Fujian and areas of Guangdong, weather officials said.
Downpours could be 100-220 mm (3.9 inches to 8.7 inches) in some
areas.
(Reporting by Bernard Orr, Ethan Wang and Shanghai newsroom,
Farah Master and Twinnie Siu in Hong Kong; Editing by Lincoln
Feast.)
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