Southern China braces for typhoon's onslaught

The shipping channel around the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was closed to vessels at 12:30 pm on Tuesday as typhoon Kompasu gathered force, the maritime safety administration for the bridge announced.

Kompasu is projected to make landfall on the coast between Wenchang and Lingshui in Hainan province on Wednesday, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Shipping across the Qiongzhou Strait was suspended at 7 am on Tuesday.

Heavy rains are forecast in parts of southern and eastern Guangdong province, with strong winds forecast to hit the southern coastline.