South China on Alert as Typhoon Merbok Approaches

As tropical cylone Merbok steadily makes its way towards South China, various districts, airports and cities have issued alerts today.

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, Merbok is expected to make landfall around midnight tonight, at a location around 50 kilometers away from Hong Kong. The Observatory issued a 'No. 8 Northeast Gale or Storm Signal' at 5.20pm today.

Hong Kong Observatory's tracking system

At 1pm this afternoon, Shenzhen's typhoon alert status was shifted from blue to the more serious yellow. That means that, according to Shenzhen's Meteorological Bureau, city residents may be affected by Merbok over the next 24 hours and wind speeds will average around 'level 8' (17.2-20.8 meters per second) or higher.

Classes at childcare centers, kindergartens, elementary and middle schools throughout the city have been suspended. The Bureau also released a lightning alert at 10.45am today, which was still active as of 5pm. 

Guangzhou's Nansha District issued a yellow typhoon alert today. In addition, the city's Baiyun Airport has released yellow alerts for flight delays, as has Jinwan Airport in Zhuhai.

Rain-drenched Hong Kongers

Meizhou and Heyuan, Guangdong, are expected to receive heavy rainfall as well.

[Images via Hong Kong Free Press, Hong Kong Observatory, SCMP]