Flights Cut, MTR Trains Down, Trees Uprooted and Runner Rescued in Hong Kong

Dozens of flights in and out of Hong Kong were affected on Sunday as Typhoon Mujigae moved inland over western Guangdong.

However, by Monday morning Hong Kong's Observatory cancelled all storm signals as the typhoon passed the city, warning that rainy weathy remains for the rest of the day.

The No 3 strong wind signal had been in place for more than 24 hours after it was issued, as Mujigae unleashed gale force winds.

The Airport Authority announced a rescheduling of flights and lowered handling capacity -- slots available for take-off and landing -- to about 935 flights, just 85 per cent of its daily average rate of about 1,100.

"Passengers are advised to contact their airlines, check with the airport's website or the flight information display screens for the latest flight information," an authority spokesman said.

By 5:00 p.m. yesterday, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair had cancelled 34 flights and faced 16 flight delays, with four flights cancelled and delayed respectively today. Hong Kong Airlines cancelled two flights -- HX107 and HX108 -- flying between Hong Kong and Haikou in Hainan.

Macau ferry schedules were also disrupted.

At 8:00 p.m., Mujigae was estimated to be 470km west of Hong Kong and forecast to move northwest at about 14km/h into western Guangdong while continuing to weaken.

Commuters will have a wet start this morning.

"The weather will be showery with some rough seas, and it will be rather windy at first," said Observatory senior scientific officer Mok Ying-him. "The weather will improve slightly in the following couple of days."

Strong winds and heavy rains knocked down scaffolding and scores of trees. An amber rainstorm warning was issued for about an hour at 4:30 a.m., while a thunderstorm warning remained in force for most of the day.

The No 3 signal was eventually lowered at 8:40 p.m.

The MTR Corp apologised to commuters after a cut in the power supply caused by a tree collapsing onto overhead cables near Fanling Station disrupted services for nearly two hours on the East Rail Line yesterday morning.

In the Lantau 2 Peaks race yesterday morning, rescuers took about three hours to reach and free a 45-year-old Belgian runner who was stranded on a tree four metres down a slope after slipping off the route on Tei Tong Tsai Country Trail. He was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung with broken limbs.