Emirates flight delayed as Typhoon Wipha slams Hong Kong with rain and winds

Emirates Airlines confirmed a delay to flight EK 382 from Dubai to Hong Kong early Sunday as Typhoon Wipha swept past the city, unleashing fierce winds and torrential rain. The airline cited adverse weather conditions and updated its website at 1:38 am (GMT+4), noting the disruption to its 20 July service as the storm approached the territory.

The delay comes amid widespread aviation chaos, with more than 400 flights cancelled at Hong Kong International Airport. Airport authorities activated emergency protocols as the city hoisted Signal No. 10—its highest tropical cyclone warning—for the first time since Super Typhoon Saola in 2023.

UAE issues advisory

In response to the storm, the UAE Consulate in Hong Kong issued a public safety advisory to all Emirati citizens in the city. Nationals were urged to strictly follow local safety guidelines and stay updated.

For emergencies, Emiratis can call 0097180024 or 0097180044444. The consulate also encouraged registration with the Twajudi service for timely alerts and assistance.

The storm brought winds exceeding 167 kph (103 mph), uprooted trees, flooded roads, and severely affected public transport and rail networks across Hong Kong and neighbouring regions.

 Flights cancelled, trees downed, shelters filled

Airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao suspended daytime flights. According to RTHK, about 80,000 passengers were affected in Hong Kong alone.

Airport Authority Hong Kong activated its emergency centre, and Cathay Pacific said it would resume limited outbound services from 6 pm.

Authorities received over 450 reports of fallen trees and scattered scaffolding across roads. At least 21 people sought treatment at public hospitals. Flooding was reported in areas like Wong Tai Sin, and more than 250 people took shelter in emergency centres.

T10 alert hoisted, then downgraded

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the hurricane signal No. 10—its highest storm warning—before lowering it to No. 8 at 4:10 p.m. “Gale to storm force southeasterly winds are still affecting parts of the territory,” the observatory said, adding that intense rainbands continued to impact the Pearl River Estuary region.

Neighbouring Macau also raised its maximum typhoon signal, suspending all public transport.

Southern China braces as storm moves west

Wipha was located about 140 km southwest of Hong Kong by 5 pm local time and was moving toward the western coast of Guangdong province.

Nearly 280,000 people in Guangdong were relocated as a precaution, according to Chinese state media.

Zhuhai and Zhanjiang are expected to be impacted before the typhoon continues westward toward Vietnam.

Philippines, Vietnam, Korea affected

Wipha had earlier intensified monsoon rains across the northern Philippines, killing at least three and displacing more than 370,000 people. Over 43,000 took shelter due to floods and landslides, and more than 400 homes were damaged, officials said.

In Vietnam, 38 people died when a boat capsized in Halong Bay amid stormy conditions. The government warned that Wipha would bring heavy rainfall to northern provinces from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa.

South Korea also faced severe weather, with heavy rains leaving at least 14 people dead and 12 missing, authorities said.

Markets adapt to storm protocol changes

This was the first major storm since Hong Kong's stock exchange scrapped its decades-old practice of closing during T8 or higher warnings. The shift came after pandemic-era remote work proved financial trading could continue uninterrupted.

Hong Kong last hoisted the T10 warning in September 2023 during Super Typhoon Saola, which caused widespread flooding across the city.