Typhoon Hagupit kills 3 in Philippines, heads for China

Hong Kong: A typhoon was gathering strength in the South China Sea on Tuesday and heading towards Hong Kong after killing three people in the northern Philippines.

The Hong Kong Observatory raised its strong warning wind signal number 3 with Typhoon Hagupit edging west or west-northwest at about 30 kph towards the south China coast.

"The observatory will consider the need for the No. 8 gale or storm signal around dusk today," it said.

Hong Kong kindergartens were closed for the day and the city's bustling container ports and terminals were due to suspend operations this afternoon.

Hagupit, which means "lashing" in Filipino, was estimated to be 380 km (236 miles) southeast of Hong Kong at 10 a.m. (0200 GMT) and was expected to make landfall in China on Wednesday.

In the Philippines, the coastguard rescued 21 people from three cargo and fishing vessels that sank in rough waters as Hagupit passed the north coast on Monday. In total, three people were killed and four were missing.

The Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council said about 120 people had fled their homes in a northern mountain village due to fears of landslide as the weather bureau lowered typhoon alerts. Taiwan also lifted its land and sea warnings after the typhoon brushed the island's southern tip overnight, causing no injuries or damage, officials said.