In Photos: Hong Kong issues highest level alert for Super Typhoon Saola

The Asian financial hub of Hong Kong and the Chinese province of Guangdong cancelled hundreds of flights and evacuated nearly 800,000 people Friday as the imminent arrival of Typhoon Saola forced closures of businesses, schools and financial markets. Above: People enter a car in front of a tree unrooted by high winds brought by Super Typhoon Saola in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong.

Packing winds of around 200 kph (125 mph), the super typhoon could make landfall late on Friday or early on Saturday in Guangdong, and rate among the five strongest to hit the populous province since 1949, authorities have warned. Above: People run for cover from the rain and high winds brought by Super Typhoon Saola in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong.

Across Guangdong, people had been evacuated from high-risk areas, while 13 cities delayed the start of the school term on Friday following the summer break. Above: People with umbrellas struggle against the strong wind and rain.

In Hong Kong, more than 300 people were stranded at the airport by the cancellation of about 460 flights as the city of 7.5 million people raised its hurricane warning to the highest level. Above: People brave strong winds as Super Typhoon Saola approaches.

The weather will deteriorate rapidly as the typhoon makes landfall, Hong Kong weather officials said, with chances of storm surges of about 3 metres (10 feet) higher than the normal tide and maximum water levels reaching a record. Above: A woman walks past fallen tree branches due to strong winds from Super Typhoon Saola.

Weather authorities in China have said Saola could make landfall along the coast between the cities of Huidong and Taishan. Hong Kong and Macau lie in the centre of that stretch. Above: People are seen on the street in Hong Kong.

Saola is one of three tropical cyclones to have formed in the northwest Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. The second, Haikui, is approaching Taiwan, and is set to hit the island on Sunday before heading towards China's province of Fujian. Above: Above: A person with an umbrella struggles against strong wind and rain.

Shenzhen, a city of more than 17 million, suspended work, businesses and financial markets from Friday afternoon, warning that destructive winds could lash it through Saturday. Above: People struggle with their umbrellas in high winds.