Hong Kong lowers typhoon warning to T3

The Hong Kong Observatory lowered its storm warning to a T3 at 12.40 pm on Friday as Super Typhoon Yagi continued its westwards track departing Hong Kong, with local winds weakening gradually.

It said the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 will remain in force for some time and warned that rain would continue to affect Hong Kong.

"When the threat posed by Yagi is further reduced, the observatory will issue the Standby Signal, No 1 or the Strong Monsoon Signal," it said.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Ngong Ping, Waglan Island and Cheung Chau were 74, 71 and 59 kilometers per hour with maximum gusts exceeding 102, 95 and 80 kilometers per hour respectively.

Meanwhile, the government said, as of noon, its call center had received 119 reports of fallen trees, one report of landslide, and one confirmed flooding case - reported at San Wan Road in Fanling.

The Hospital Authority said five men and four women have been injured during the typhoon period and sought medical treatment at the public hospitals.

Thirty temporary shelters have been opened in the territory, and 274 people have sought refuge, according to authorities.