Tropical Cyclone Saudel expected to edge closer to HK on Friday

The Standby Signal No. 1 is currently in force and is expected to remain in effect until at least tomorrow morning.

The Observatory noted Tropical Cyclone Saudel will edge closer to the Pearl River Delta by Friday, during which weather authorities will assess the need to issue the Strong Wind Signal No. 3.

This as Saudel wreaked havoc across the mainland's Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, with both territories having sustained severe flooding.

Hong Kong continues to enjoy clear skies despite experiencing the combined effects of Tropical Cyclone Saudel and the northeast monsoon.

The Observatory said the tropical cyclone is currently making its way across the northeastern section of the South China Sea, and is expected to maintain a distance of 300 kilometres or more of Hong Kong.

But weather authorities added changes may occur in the latter part of this week.

Senior Scientific Officer Kok Mang-hin from the Observatory said Saudel will travel on a westerly trajectory starting on Thursday potentially reaching the coastline of Eastern Guangdong, before edging closer to the Pearl River Delta on Friday.

Owing to the ever-changing nature of Saudel, the Observatory will assess the need to issue the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 later this week.

While most tropical cyclones in the past had the tendency to weaken once they enter the mainland from the Guangdong coastline, Saudel momentarily weakened once made landfall in Zhejiang last Friday, before picking up speed once it swerved past Hainan Island.

This as Hong Kong Meteorological Society spokesperson Leung Wing-mo said what remained of the tropical cyclone was affected by airflow and moisture in southwesterly winds in the mainland, which allowed it to regain its strength despite travelling across a large span of territory.

Meanwhile, in Putian city in Fujian Province, continuous heavy rain since Tuesday have caused severe flooding throughout the region.

With floodwaters reaching knee-level high, rescue personnel had to carry the elderly to safety on their backs.

A number of individuals initially trapped in a private car were promptly flushed away after getting out of their vehicle, before ultimately being rescued.

As of this morning, several towns across Fujian recorded rainfall of over 250 millimetres in just 24 hours, with some 20,000 residents in the region having been evacuated.

In nearby Wenzhou city in Zhejiang Province, local authorities led residents to safety after scores of buildings were flooded.