The tropical cyclone was expected to make landfall in mainland China later on Sunday with winds equivalent to those of a Category 2 Atlantic hurricane.

BEIJING (Reuters) -Hong Kong issued its highest storm warning on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha, packing winds of more than 167 kilometres (103 miles) per hour, brought heavy rain and wind across the territory,

The Hong Kong Observatory will issue the No 9 storm signal at 7.20am on Sunday, seven hours after the first No 8 warning of the year took effect, as Typhoon Wipha edged its way towards the city. The forecaster said Wipha’s hurricane winds will be “rather close” to Hong Kong as the typhoon will skirt at about 50km south of the city around noon,