More rains, winds as Mulan nears

A higher signal is likely to be hoisted today as tropical cyclone Mulan moves toward the vicinity of western Guangdong and Hainan Island.

Strong Wind Signal No 3 was hoisted at 11.25am yesterday as the city was lashed by winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometers per hour.

At 9pm, Mulan was estimated at about 460km south-southwest of Hong Kong. It was forecast to move north or north-northwest at about 18kph toward the vicinity of western Guangdong and Hainan and intensify gradually.

The observatory said unless Mulan strengthened significantly or took a track closer to Hong Kong the No 3 signal was expected to remain in force before 2am today.

"The broad outer rainbands associated with Mulan are affecting the northern part of the South China Sea and the coast of Guangdong, bringing heavy showers, violent gusts and thunderstorms to the territory," the observatory said.

Temperatures will range between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius today.

Scientific officer Lai Wang-chun said the public should be aware of the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.

All kindergartens, nursery centers and special schools suspended classes yesterday.

Amid heavy rain, a 43-year-old motorcyclist slipped and rammed into metal fences on Tai Po Road near Caldecott Road yesterday morning, breaking a leg and hurting his pelvis.

Online video shows the motorcyclist, wearing a helmet and a yellow vest, slip when passing a curve. He is thrown out of the motorcycle and rams into metal fences.

It is believed his motorcycle had hit a traffic sign.

Police arrived at the scene and sent the motorcyclist to Princess Margaret Hospital semi-conscious.

Elsewhere, wooden fencing at a restaurant under renovation in Wing On Plaza in Tsim Sha Tsui was peeled off by the strong winds. No one was injured.

Some people said they are excited about a possible "typhoon holiday" if No 8 is hoisted and have arranged for mahjong gatherings with friends or set yum cha meetings, but others are not so optimistic as they believe it would be all over before working hours started.

In Macau, tropical cyclone signal No 3 was issued at 11.30am yesterday. There are "medium chances" of upgrading the warning to No 8 tonight to midnight, the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau said.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com