A higher Typhoon Signal may be issued, Hong Kong Observatory said

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Hong Kong Observatory reported on Sunday afternoon that a higher typhoon warning signal may be issued if the hurricane winds of typhoon Koinu come even closer to Hong Kong.

Presently, the No.8 Gale or Storm Signal is in force.

At 3 p.m., Koinu was centred about 90 kilometres south of Hong Kong. Observatory forecasted that it will move west or west-northwest slowly edging closer to the Pearl River Estuary.

The forecast track at present said Koinu will be closest to Hong Kong tonight, skirting about 70 kilometres south of the observatory.

The HKO forecaster said "Koinu is a mature typhoon with its eyewall edging closer to the seas south of the territory. Gale winds are already prevailing in many places in the southern part of Hong Kong and winds may strengthen further. If the hurricane winds of Koinu edge further closer to Hong Kong, the observatory may need to issue higher tropical cyclone warning signals."

It added that the intense rainbands associated with Koinu are affecting Hong Kong, with heavy squally showers expected today and on Monday.

The Drainage Services Department, on standby, said no report of flooding had been gotten from the public as of 2:30 p.m.

The department pledged that timely updates on the latest Koinu impact would be provided to the public. It said that over 80 emergency response teams had been deployed to monitor and inspect areas that are prone to flooding.

Moreover, the public has been warned to stay away from the river as heavy downpours may lead to a quick rise in river levels. Especially, those who live close to the river should pay rapt attention to any change in the weather and consider evacuating when necessary," the drainage service department's spokesperson said.

香港天文台表示可能會發出更高的颱風訊號

香港天文台週日下午報告稱，如果颱風「小犬」的颶風距離香港更近，可能會發出更高的颱風警告信號。

目前，八號烈風或暴風訊號已生效。

下午3點，甲犬以香港天文台以南約90公里處為中心，預計將向西或西北偏西移動，慢慢靠近珠江口。

目前的預報軌道顯示，今晚鯉犬將最接近香港，繞過天文台以南約70公里處。

天文台預報員表示：「『鯉魚』是個成熟颱風，其風眼壁逐漸靠近本港以南海域。香港南部多地已盛行大風，風力可能會進一步加強。若『鯉魚』颶風邊緣進一步靠近香港，天文台可能需要發出更高強度的熱帶氣旋警告信號。”

報告補充說，與鯉魚有關的強烈雨帶正在影響香港，預計今天和周一會有大狂風驟雨。

渠務署已待命，表示截至下午2時30分尚未接獲民眾有關水浸的報告。

該部門承諾將及時向公眾提供最新的甲犬影響的最新資訊。 據稱，已部署80多個緊急小組對容易發生洪水的地區進行監測和檢查。

此外，也警告民眾遠離河流，因為大雨可能導致河流水位迅速上升。 特別是居住在河邊的居民，要密切注意天氣變化，必要時考慮撤離。」排水部門發言人表示。