HONG KONG: The usually frenetic streets of Hong Kong were deserted on Friday as the city was battered by Typhoon Haima after the storm left a trail of deaths and damage in the Philippines.

More than 700 flights in and out of Hong Kong were cancelled or delayed, roads were clear of cars and pavements empty, with schools and offices shut as the storm passed east of the city and hit southern mainland China. Trading on the city’s stock exchange was also cancelled for the day.

As Haima swept past Hong Kong, trees were felled by winds, and waves crashed over coastal roads.

Eight people were left hospitalised with injuries, authorities said. Four are in a serious condition.

At 5pm Haima’s centre was moving away from Hong Kong and was 160 kilometres to the northeast. It has made landfall near Shanwei in China’s southern Guangdong province, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

Hong Kong’s Number 8 storm signal — the third-highest warning level — which had been raised Friday morning, was downgraded to a Number 3 signal in the early evening.

The observatory warned the public to stay away from the shoreline due to rough seas, but many residents turned storm watchers.

In the western neighbourhood of Kennedy Town people laughed and joked as they were soaked by waves.

“I’m from Nepal and I used to live by a lake. I like playing with the water. I’m not afraid of the water,” said one resident who gave his name as Raju.

Others jogged and fished as the storm rolled in.

At the popular southern beach spot of Big Wave Bay a handful of surfers attempted to catch thunderous waves.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2016