Typhoon Mangkhut is sweeping across the Pearl River Delta, in the most powerful storm seen anywhere in the world this year. Record winds threatened hundreds of thousands people living in highly populated areas, including Hong Kong and Macao SARs. Despite multiple precautions, land, sea and air traffic remained paralyzed. Many windows were shattered and a crane at a construction site in Hong Kong was toppled by the severe typhoon.

In one of the most powerful typhoons ever to hit Hong Kong, roads, shopping malls and harbor front areas were flooded. At Heng Fa Chuen, a private, seaside estate in Chai Wan on Hong Kong Island, ocean waves approaching two meters, left water hip deep, and cut power to a nearby shopping mall.

Average wind velocity of Severe Typhoon Mangkhut, reached a record 155 km/h on Waglan Island, in the southeast part of Hong Kong. That broke record velocity winds set by Typhoon Wanda in 1962, and Typhoon York in 1999. Mangkut is the Thai word for mangosteen fruit.

Many people put tape on windows in homes, hotels and office buildings, in the hope of preventing glass from shattering in the high winds. Many different designs were shared on social media, including the most common, "X" as well as "*" shapes. The strong wind also brought out people eager to show their creativity by putting tape in various designs.

CLP, a major power supplier, reported that at least 7,000 clients were left without electricity on Sunday morning. Residents at Tai O on Lautau Island and Lei Yue Mun in Kowloon were advised to relocate to government shelters or to nearby refuges. On Sunday afternoon, the Education Bureau announced a full suspension of schools on Monday. By 7 pm on Sunday, Hong Kong SAR government said 1,331 people stayed in 48 temporary shelters in 18 districts. A total of 238 cases of fallen trees and 34 cases of flooding were received. More than 280 people sought medical attendance at the Accident & Emergency Departments of public hospitals.

stushadow@chinadailyhk.com

A person is soaked after a hydrant broke in Chai Wan, on Sunday, during the intense storm. Photos by Edmond Tang, Roy Liu, Parker Zheng / China Daily

A car is partially submerged by floods brought by typhoon Mangkhut in Heng Fa Chuen, a private estate on the waterfront of Chai Wan.

A TV journalist, wearing a helmet, prepares to cover the typhoon, said to be world's worst so far this year.

Storm chasers took photos on the Kennedy Town waterfront, ignoring a fallen tree immediately beside them.

A street at Kennedy Town was empty save for some who came out of nearby buildings to take photos of the typhoon damage.

(HK Edition 09/17/2018 page8)