The Hong Kong Observatory on Friday issued the Amber Rainstorm Warning signal for around two hours as tropical cyclone Wipha edges closer to Hong Kong and brings along heavy downpours.

The forecaster said rain was particularly heavy in Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan at one point.

It called on people to be on the alert, as Wipha will be closest to the city on Sunday.

Speaking on an RTHK programme, acting senior scientific officer Shum Chi-tai said Wipha will bring strong winds and thunderstorms.

He warned of uncertainties on the storm's track.

"According to the present forecast, Wipha will be closest to Hong Kong on Sunday. But this is still subject to its distance with the Pearl River Estuary," Shum said.

"Wipha is currently east of the Philippines, so we will take note of the impact on the cyclone when it passes through Luzon."

Shum added that the storm will enter within 800 kilometres of Hong Kong between Friday night and early Saturday morning, and the Observatory will issue the Standby Signal No 1 sometime during that period.
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Last updated: 2025-07-18 HKT 13:02