HONG KONG, July 20 — Hong Kong issued its third-highest tropical cyclone warning in the early hours of Sunday as Typhoon Wipha drew nearer, with authorities cancelling classes and grounding hundreds of flights.

Wipha was located around 280 kilometres southeast of Hong Kong as of midnight (1600 GMT), according to Hong Kong’s weather observatory.

The observatory has hoisted the T8 warning signal, meaning that “winds with mean speeds of 63 kilometres per hour or more are expected”.

The storm was expected to keep intensifying, moving across the northern part of the South China Sea and edging closer to the coast of China’s Guangdong province.

“There will be frequent heavy squally showers and thunderstorms over the region. Seas will be high with swells,” the observatory added.

China’s Hainan and Guangdong provinces were also put on high alert, state news agency Xinhua reported Saturday.

More than 250 flights servicing Hong Kong had been cancelled as of late Saturday, according to the website of the city’s international airport.

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority asked travellers to prepare for “significant flight cancellations or delays” and said that no passenger flights are expected to depart the city before Sunday noon.

Authorities suspended Sunday’s classes at all day schools and daycare centres.

Bus services are expected to be halted until midday Sunday.

Wipha brought heavy rains and flooding to the Philippines and two people have been reported missing, according to the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. — AFP

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka is calling on the people of Nadi to take ownership of their town’s critical role in driving Fiji’s tourism industry.

Speaking at the opening of the FMF Nadi Bula Festival at Prince Charles Park last night, Gavoka said the government has allocated $8 million in the new financial year to strengthen Nadi’s position as Fiji’s “model town.”

He stated that Nadi is not just the jet-set town—it is the gateway for international visitors and must remain resilient and forward-looking.

With the festival themed “Rebuilding Lives through Compassion and Charity,” Gavoka also acknowledged the contestants, urging them to see themselves as leaders and agents of change in their communities.

“You’ve stepped forward to champion important causes and uplift your communities. From this very moment, you already carry the pride of your people. We honour your courage, commitment, and the sacrifices you’ve made to be here.”

He added that the town’s legacy as Fiji’s tourism capital depends on the commitment of its people to uphold and protect it.

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