One dead as super typhoon Saola batters China

The cyclone Saola made landfall in southern China province of Guangdong, as violent winds lashed nearby Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macau, causing at least one dead and a trail of destruction and flooding. The Asian financial hub of Hong Kong and China's neighboring province of Guangdong shut down hundreds of flights and closed businesses, schools, and financial markets as Saola edged closer. Many roads were strewn with fallen trees, especially in the most exposed outlying islands. In the busy causeway bay district, many buildings had flown off. A massive window was blown out of an office building in the district, footage from TVB showed. Photos posted on Facebook revealed water levels at Repulse Bay beach surging several metres higher than normal level, partially submerging its iconic Tin Hau temple. The government said more than 500 people were rescued in government shelters and more than 50 individuals were admitted to hospitals due to the typhoon. The world's biggest gaming centre, Macau, has been allowed to reopen from Saturday, the government said, after shutting Friday night. One person was killed in Shenzhen yesterday after a tree fell and hit their vehicle, local media reported. Despite its weakening, Saola still impacts the region, Chinese authorities warned, as it moves toward Taiwan's eastern coast. The railway operator in Guangdong, China, said that operations were allowed to gradually resume through the morning. packing winds of more than 200 kph as a super typhoon, Saola was among the strongest to menace the southern province since 1949. China's authorities said the typhoon was a severe typhoon that made landfall in Zhuhai city, with winds slowing to around 160 kph. Over 300 people were stranded at Hong Kong's airport yesterday, the city's Airport Authority said. Flagship carrier Cathay Pacific said it will resume flights on Saturday afternoon after a suspension since Friday. The Hong Kong hurricane storm signal 10 was lowered to 8 by Saturday morning, the highest it had been for a week at a time. The city's observatory said it would remain in force until afternoon as heavy rain and flooding were still affecting the area. The typhoon, Haikui, was forecast to make landfall on Taiwan's far south-eastern coast late Sunday afternoon and bring heavy rain to the island next week. Taiwan's two main domestic airlines cancelled all flights for Sunday, and the government warned people to stay away from beaches and mountain areas.