On July 20th, Typhoon “Vipa” made a powerful landfall, bringing Hong Kong strong winds and heavy rain. The highest wind speed reached 118 kilometers per hour, prompting the Hong Kong Observatory to issue the highest level of a T10 typhoon signal. The entire city was in chaos, with a three-story tall cruise ship being blown away by the strong winds like a toy, crashing straight into the pier.
At 9:20 am on the 20th, the Hong Kong Observatory raised the T10 typhoon signal, marking the first time since September 1, 2023, when Typhoon “Sura” impacted the region, that Hong Kong issued a local highest tropical cyclone signal.
The Hong Kong Observatory indicated that at 11 am, Typhoon “Vipa” was located about 60 kilometers southeast of the Observatory and was expected to pass within approximately 50 kilometers south of the Observatory in the next one to two hours, posing a significant threat to Hong Kong. Citizens were urged to remain vigilant, stay indoors in sheltered areas, and be cautious of potentially destructive winds.
Under such strong winds, various areas in Hong Kong experienced extreme conditions. At 10:06 am, the police received reports that the three-story tall “Sea Dragon Pearl” sightseeing boat was drifting in the sea near 18 Hing Ning Street in Kennedy Town due to strong winds and large waves, eventually colliding with the pier near the China Merchants Wharf.
Videos from the scene showed a dull thud upon impact, with the ship hitting the edge of the pier causing noticeable vibrations, creating a hole in the hull and damaging some facilities. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in this incident. Netizens quipped, “It seems like the ship mistook the pier for a bumper car arena.”
Apart from the cruise ship being blown away and hitting the pier, other areas of Hong Kong were also severely affected. Victoria Harbour witnessed high winds and rough waves, with waves continuously crashing against the shore, making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate the streets. Outdoor items were being carried away by strong winds, roadside trees swayed continuously, with many trees and branches falling onto the roads, leaving the streets almost deserted of vehicles and pedestrians.
The Hospital Authority of Hong Kong reported that as of 10 am, two men had been injured during the storm and sought treatment at public hospital emergency rooms. The Hong Kong SAR Government’s 1823 Call Center and the Fire Services Department received 13 and 72 reports of fallen trees, respectively.
On the internet, a “Typhoon Survival Guide” was circulated, with Hong Kong citizens sharing tips such as “stock up on instant noodles and power banks in advance.”
To cope with the typhoon, all schools with daytime classes in Hong Kong suspended classes, ferry terminals were closed, and approximately 500 flights were cancelled, affecting around 80,000 passengers. Sections of the Hong Kong MTR network, including the Airport Express Line, Disneyland Resort Line, Light Rail, and MTR bus services, were temporarily suspended. Some high-speed rail trains between West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong and mainland China were cancelled, maintaining only limited services.
The Hong Kong Observatory stated that the T10 typhoon signal would stay in effect until around 4 pm, with subsequent decisions depending on the local wind conditions easing.