Gale-force winds, thunderstorms as Kompasu bears down

Hong Kong is braced for its second storm in three days, with the Observatory saying it would probably raise the No 8 typhoon warning later tonight as Tropical Cyclone Kompasu approaches.

Kompasu came within 800 kilometers of Hong Kong overnight as the Observatory expected to issue a strong wind signal No 3.

The last time the Observatory issued a No 3 signal once a tropical cyclone entered the 800-km range was on October 24 1987 when Typhoon Lynn hit Hong Kong. No higher signal was hoisted.

Senior scientific officer Lee Tsz-cheung said the wind force in Hong Kong is expected to be stronger tonight and early tomorrow, reaching gale force, and there might be a need to hoist the No 8 tropical cyclone signal with the weather expected to deteriorate tonight.

Kompasu is forecast to skirt about 400 kilometers to the south of Hong Kong early tomorrow. Winds may reach gale force in some areas, with widespread rainstorms and squalls.

Showers will continue to affect the coast of Guangdong later in the week.

The Education Bureau blogged that parents can decide on their own whether to let their children go to school based on the weather.

"If the weather, road, slope or traffic condition is severe in the area, parents should allow their kids to stay at home to protect their safety," it said.

The bureau said schools will exercise discretion and students will not be punished for being late or absent due to the poor weather or floods.

With the public holiday Chung Yeung festival coming up on Thursday, people planning outdoor activities and grave sweeping are advised by the Observatory to prepare backup plans.

A supermarket in Fo Tan and wet markets in Ho Man Tin saw shelves emptied ahead of the No 3 signal.

Kompasu has also affected Macau; it hoisted typhoon signal No 1 yesterday.

Taiwan had been impacted most last night, said Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau, bringing heavy rain to the north and east of the island.

Leung Wing-mo, former assistant director of the Hong Kong Observatory, said yesterday that the wind force of Kompasu could be stronger and closer to Hong Kong than Lionrock but the duration in Hong Kong would be shorter as it moves faster.

He added the impact of the wind could be weakened by the northeast monsoon's direction or dry air.

Although the tracking and prediction for Kompasu would not be as tricky as Lionrock, he said there could still be a lot of variables.

Leung defended last week's predictions by the Observatory, saying he was unable to sleep on Sunday after seeing criticism of the weather bureau.

Leung agreed there is room for improvement after the Observatory had suggested several times last Saturday that the No 8 storm signal could be downgraded.

Often the Observatory will struggle between science and meeting the public's expectations, he said.

Wholesale and retail sector lawmaker Shiu Ka-fai said the Observatory's repeated suggestions last Saturday had made his sector hectic.

In yesterday's Legislative Council panel meeting, Shiu criticized the Observatory forecast as inaccurate.

New People's Party lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee suggested in the same panel meeting that the Observatory should be managed by the Environment Bureau instead of being overseen by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau as it seems to be more relevant to the environment.

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Edward Yau Tang-wah, said even if the Observatory is affiliated to his bureau, it does not mean it does not serve other bureaus. Its forecasts are based on science.

maisy.mok@singtaonewscorp.com