Hong Kong Stock Exchange Closed as Typhoon Nida Makes Landfall

According to BBC, the Hong Kong stock market had to close its morning trading session due to the impact of Typhoon Nida.

Typhoon Nida (typhoon No. 2 - as Vietnam calls it) is still moving northwest at a speed of 25 km/h and is expected to sweep through a series of cities from Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Foshan and Zhaoqing in Guangdong province to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region after landing in Hong Kong on the morning of August 2, causing hundreds of flights and ferries to be canceled and many schools to close.

The first images of damage after Typhoon Nida hit Hong Kong. Photo: Getty.

According to BBC, the Hong Kong stock market had to close its morning trading session due to the impact of the storm.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority said that more than 150 flights have been canceled so far, with Cathay Pacific and Dragonair warning that none of their flights will take off until 2 p.m. on August 2. Another 290 flights have also been delayed.

Many bus, tram and ferry services were suspended. The Hong Kong government had also evacuated thousands of workers from offshore oil and gas fields, a move deemed necessary to cope with the strongest storm to hit Hong Kong since 1983.

Meanwhile, the government of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, has issued a red typhoon warning, temporarily suspending all outdoor activities and giving students a day off. According to forecasts, Typhoon Nida, with winds of about 105km/h, is expected to sweep through the city today (August 2).

The Guangzhou Municipal Government's website recommends: "All emergency rescue and disaster response units should take measures to ensure the supply of clean water, electricity, gas, transportation, communications, and medical services to deal with emergencies caused by the typhoon."

Meanwhile, the cities of Zhuhai and Shanwei in Guangdong province also issued red storm warnings - the highest level in a four-level warning system - in response to Typhoon Nida. Shenzhen issued a yellow warning, the third most dangerous level.

According to ABC news, more than 220 flights from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai airports will be canceled before Typhoon Nida sweeps through the area.

The National Disaster Mitigation Committee has advised people living in areas expected to be affected by the typhoon to prepare food and other necessities for three days, Xinhua news agency reported.

Before making landfall in southern China, Typhoon Nida passed through the Philippines, causing heavy rains in areas in the north of the country.

According to VOV