The Hong Kong Observatory raised the T3 Strong Wind Signal on Tuesday morning as tropical cyclone Bebinca edges closer to the Pearl River Delta region. The Observatory said that squally showers and winds of up to 41 to 62 kilometres per hour are expected over the coming week.

According to the present forecast, the chance of the Observatory raising the T8 storm signal before 6pm is relatively low.

The Education Bureau announced that kindergarten classes were suspended for today, and the Labour Department reminded employers to make typhoon and rainstorm work arrangements for staff in advance.

At 10am, Bebinca was estimated to be around 160 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong and moving gradually northwards. It has since brought gusts of up to 55 kilometres per hour at Tate’s Cairn in Ma On Shan Country Park.

A No. 1 Standby Signal has been in place since Friday.

Tropical cyclone Bebinca’s storm path. Photo: HKO.

The Observatory has advised the public to take precautions and ensure that outdoor objects are securely fastened or transferred indoors. They added that owing to the storm surge, low-lying areas may be subject to flooding or backflow of seawater, and that members of the public should stay away from the shoreline due to rough seas.

Tropical cyclone Bebinca weather forecast
Photo: HKO.

Bands of rain and temperatures of up to 32 degrees Celcius are forecast over the coming week, with lighter showers expected from Friday onward.

Jennifer Creery is a Hong Kong-born British journalist, interested in minority rights and urban planning. She holds a BA in English at King's College London and has studied Mandarin at National Taiwan University.