Hong Kong is preparing for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Toraji, with the T1 storm signal set to be raised between 8 pm and midnight on Monday night. The storm is expected to come within 800 kilometers of the territory, bringing strong winds and squally showers due to the combined effect of Toraji and the northeast monsoon.
The Observatory has warned that the winds will gradually strengthen as the cyclone approaches, and they may consider raising the T3 signal late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday. Although Toraji is expected to weaken as it nears the coastal areas, the exact rate of weakening is still uncertain.
This will be the second time in a week that the storm signal has been hoisted, following Tropical Cyclone Yinxing which affected the territory over the weekend. Yinxing has now moved towards the coast of central Vietnam, but rain and wind are expected to continue into the weekend with a brief break on Saturday before more rain next week.
The T1 signal is the standby signal, indicating that a tropical cyclone is within approximately 800 kilometers of Hong Kong and may impact the territory. Despite the signal being raised, all schools and government services will remain open, and public transport will continue to operate. The government advises residents to consider the cyclone when planning activities and to be cautious of strong winds over offshore waters.
The increasing strength and destructiveness of tropical cyclones are linked to the warming of ocean waters due to the climate crisis. Over 90 percent of excess heat in the atmosphere is being absorbed by the oceans, leading to more powerful storms. As world leaders gather for the COP29 conference, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service has announced that 2024 is likely to be the warmest year on record, with temperatures expected to be more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
In other parts of the world, Toraji is the fourth typhoon to hit the Philippines in a month, causing the closure of ports and the evacuation of thousands of villages. The impact of these extreme weather events highlights the urgent need for global action to address the climate crisis.
As Hong Kong prepares for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Toraji, residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the storm. Stay tuned to updates from the Observatory and follow their guidelines to minimize the impact of the cyclone on the community.
