The no. 10 tropical cyclone alert for Typhoon Wipha, which was issued yesterday afternoon in Macao, remained in effect for around 4.5 hours, causing widespread disruptions and shutdowns.
According to a statement published by the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (known by its Portuguese initials SMG), Typhoon Wipha is the fifth tropical cyclone to reach level 10 in Macao since 2017. Wipha also represents the earliest time in a year that a no. 10 signal has been raised since the start of records in 1968.
Based on the SMG’s ranking system for tropical cyclones, a signal no. 10 is the highest level, indicating wind speeds reaching a sustained rate of more than 118 kilometres per hour or higher.
During the course of Typhoon Wipha, 163 accidents and 5 injuries were reported to the authorities. At the height of the storm, Macao’s buses, trains and flights were suspended or cancelled, leaving those flying stranded in the territory’s airport.
One passenger who spoke to TDM said the airport made alternative arrangements for him after his flight was grounded by the typhoon. “We were in the boarding lounge, [but] they had us retrieved,” the traveller said. “They accommodated us in the hotel opposite [the airport].”
The city’s ports, businesses and bridges also ceased operation while the typhoon no. 8 and 10 signals were hoisted.
With the SMG lifting all tropical storm warnings this morning, these facilities and services have gradually restarted regular operations.
[See more: All typhoons signals have been lowered as Wipha moves away from Macao]
However, all of Macao’s walking and cycling trails and most parks will remain temporarily shuttered until further notice due to the varying degrees of damage that they sustained during the typhoon, the Municipal Affairs Bureau said in a statement.
The department added that around 90 percent of the leisure areas in the city have reopened, while all eight of the markets under the Municipal Affairs Bureau have resumed business.
A clean-up effort has also been launched, with the staff from the Municipal Affairs Bureau and a cleaning company removing fallen branches, rubbish and debris from the streets, sewers and roads.
As of 8 am, Wipha had travelled roughly 380 kilometres away from Macao, moving in a southwesterly direction at a speed of 18 kilometres per hour.
Despite this, Macao is expected to continue experiencing unstable weather in the coming days, with local meteorologists warning of showers and thunderstorms.
By the latter part of the week, the city’s weather is forecasted to improve, with less rainfall and more sunshine.
Macao’s first tropical storm this year was Typhoon Wutip, which reached signal no.3 when it was issued last month. The city is expected to see between 5 to 8 typhoons in 2025, according to the SMG.
