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As Typhoon Koppu is moving away from Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Observatory has replaced the No.8 Southeast Gale or Storm Signal by the No. 3 Strong Wind Signal at 10.15am this (September 15) morning. Koppu brought strong wind and heavy rain to Hong Kong but caused no serious casualty or damage.
During the passage of the typhoon, the traffic remained largely normal. A few roads on Kowloon side were temporarily closed due to fallen trees, dangerous scaffolding and falling objects from height. They included the section of Prince Edward Road West (towards Kwun Tong) between Hau Wong Road and Nam Kok Road and the section of Argyle Street near Forfar Road (towards Kwun Tong).
Trams and some bus routes have resumed services. MTR service has already provided peak hour service. Ferry service will soon resume. Peak tram remains suspended.
In respect of aviation services, both arrival and departure flights remain normal.
Hong Kong Observatory has already cancelled amber rainstorm warning at around 10.20 am.
The Drainage Services Department had received eight cases of flooding, with two in Kowloon, Yuen Long and Sha Tin, and one on outlying islands and in Sai Kung. In view of the flooding situation in Tai O, the Islands District Office had activated an emergency command centre in Tai O and set up two temporary shelters, during which 10 residents had taken temporary accommodation.
The Buildings Department has received five reports of loose scaffoldings and one report on falling external wall.
As at 10am, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department received 48 requests for emergency assistance concerning fallen trees and trunks on roadside. There were 11 requests in Hong Kong region, 19 in Kowloon and 18 in the New Territories. No landslide report has been received.
The Home Affairs Department has opened 26 temporary shelters accommodating 260 persons as at 8am.
The Education Bureau announced that classes of kindergartens, schools for children with physical disabilities, schools for children with intellectual disabilities, AM classes of all bi-sectional schools and whole day schools will remain suspended today. Afternoon classes of bi-sectional primary and secondary schools and classes of evening schools will resume today.
As at 10am, a total of 58 people, 39 males and 19 females, aged between 9 and 78, have sought medical treatment at the Accident and Emergency Departments at public hospitals. Most of them sustained minor injuries due to falling objects and were discharged after treatment.
The Social Welfare Department advises the public not to take their children or family members to child care centres, elderly services centres and day rehabilitation units, including sheltered workshops and day activity centres. These centres, however, will resume normal service two hours after the cancellation of the Tropical Cyclone Signal No 8, to serve those in need, if weather and conditions permit.
The Judiciary announces that all courts, tribunals, court registries and offices will open this afternoon.
The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Hong Kong Design Institute, School of Business and Information Systems, Youth College and all training and development centres/training institute will be open for afternoon and evening sessions as scheduled.
The No.8 Northeast Gale or Storm Signal was issued at 5.55pm yesterday (September 14) and was replaced by Southeast Gale and Storm signal at 12.35am today. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No.3 Strong Wind signal No.3 at 10.15am.
Ends/Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:33
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