By Ebi Kesiena
Hong Kong International Airport is set to halt all passenger flights for 36 hours from Tuesday evening, Qantas Airways announced, as the financial hub braces for one of the most powerful super typhoons in recent years.
According to Qantas, the airport will be shut from 8 p.m. (1200 GMT) on 23 September until 8 a.m. on 25 September, with the airline pledging to contact passengers affected by the disruption.
While the Airport Authority Hong Kong has not issued an official closure notice, a spokesperson confirmed that preparations were under way as Typhoon Ragasa approaches, stressing that developments are being closely monitored.
The Hong Kong Observatory said the lowest-level typhoon warning signal would be raised at midday on Monday, with an upgrade to the second-highest alert expected later in the evening between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, forecasters warned that weather conditions will deteriorate sharply from Tuesday, with gale- to storm-force winds battering the city on Wednesday. Offshore areas and elevated terrain are expected to be hit by hurricane-force gusts.
Residents across Hong Kong rushed to prepare on Monday morning, with long queues forming at supermarkets. Witnesses reported that milk was already sold out in some stores, while prices of fresh produce surged, with vegetables selling at more than triple their usual cost.
Cathay Pacific Airways, the city’s largest carrier, said it was closely monitoring the potential impact of the storm and while its flights were not currently affected, that could change as the situation developed.
However, the Philippines ordered the suspension of work and classes across Metro Manila and several other regions on Monday as Typhoon Ragasa advanced towards northern Luzon, bringing warnings of fierce winds and torrential rainfall.
