Hong Kong braces for Typhoon Nesat

Sep 29, 2011, 4:33 GMT

Hong Kong - Hong Kong shut down Thursday as Typhoon Nesat changed direction to pass closer to the city, bringing gales and heavy rain.

The typhoon, which left at least 18 people dead and widespread damage in the Philippines this week, swung north overnight, prompting the Hong Kong Observatory to issue a number eight storm alert.

The warning is the third-highest, and orders the closure of schools, ferry services and public transport, courts, the stock market, and many businesses.

The observatory said the alert level would remain in place for most of the day as gale-force winds of up to 160 kilometres an hour were expected to continue.

Two people were injured when scaffolding collapsed onto a taxi, and a man was taken to hospital after being hit by a tree, government radio station RTHK reported.

The typhoon reached the closest to Hong Kong at 11 am (0300 GMT), passing 350 kilometres to the south-west of the territory, before continuing across the northern South China Sea towards Hainan Island.

The airport authority warned travellers flights may be affected and advised people to check with airlines before heading to the airport.