The Hong Kong Observatory issued a No. 1 Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal on Saturday as typhoon Khanun is close to Hong Kong.
The Observatory will consider issuing the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 on Saturday evening.
At 5pm, severe tropical storm Khanun was estimated to be about 600 kilometers southeast of Hong Kong (near 18.0 degrees north 117.7 degrees east) and is forecast to move northwest at about 20 kilometers per hour across the South China Sea and intensify. It will move in the general direction of Leizhou Peninsula to Hainan Island.
The Standby Signal No. 1 means that a tropical cyclone now centred within about 800 kilometres of Hong Kong may affect us.
Winds were occasionally strong offshore and on high ground in Hong Kong in the past few hours. With Khanun continuing to track northwestward and moving closer to the South China coastal area, and together with the effect of the northeast monsoon, local winds will strengthen gradually.
Khanun is expected to edge closer to the south China coast on Sunday. Local weather will deteriorate significantly. Members of the public should take precautionary measures against high winds and flooding as soon as possible, the Observatory said.