Hong Kong and mainland China are preparing for the arrival of Typhoon Saola on Thursday. The typhoon is predicted to bring extremely strong winds exceeding 200 kph (125 mph) as it approaches the southeastern coast.

In response to the approaching typhoon, Beijing has issued the highest level of typhoon warning. State media reports indicate that a substantial number of passenger train services, at least 121, are being suspended in anticipation of the storm’s impact. These train suspensions are primarily affecting major routes that run from the northern to southern regions of China, and they are expected to last until September 6.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall along the coast in the province of Guangzhou to Hong Kong on the afternoon or night of Friday, China’s National Meteorological Center said. The center forecasted it would be among the five strongest typhoons to land in Guangzhou since 1949.

The province’s Shenzhen city prepared by suspending classes at nurseries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and upgrading its typhoon warning level to yellow, the second lowest, as of 6 p.m. local time on Thursday.

Hong Kong also braced for the powerful typhoon. The city’s leader, John Lee, requested various government departments to plan ahead and urged residents to take precautionary measures.

However, it is still unclear whether the new school year would begin on Friday, as previously planned for many students.

The Hong Kong Observatory urged residents to steer clear of water sports and coastal areas.

Where else has Saola passed?
The typhoon passed on Wednesday just south of Taiwan. It then made a turn to mainland China, hitting the island’s southern cities with heavy rain and strong winds.

Earlier this week, Saola also hit the Philippines, yet with no reports of casualties so far. The country’s north , however, suffered floods hitting low-lying villages, with some 50,000 displaced.

Some 100 houses were damaged. Seaports also suspended inter-city ferry services due to rough seas.