Hong Kong and Macau raised a Typhoon 8 signal, the third-highest warning level, early Sunday morning as severe tropical storm "Pakhar" made landfall, days after Typhoon Hato claimed at least 18 lives (AFP Photo/DALE DE LA REY)

Hong Kong (AFP) - A powerful storm lashed Hong Kong and Macau on Sunday, just days after a punishing typhoon swept through the region and claimed at least 18 lives. Both cities raised a Typhoon 8 signal — the third-highest warning level — early Sunday morning as severe tropical storm "Pakhar" made landfall in the region, where emergency workers were still battling to repair Wednesday`s damage. Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, said the storm would cause delays and cancellations to flights arriving and departing on Sunday and Monday. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Pakhar should peak at 75 mph sustained winds and 92 mph gusts early Sunday afternoon, Category 1-equivalent typhoon strength, before it rams ashore over southeastern China late Sunday afternoon. Pakhar — named after a freshwater fish in the lower Mekong river — smashed into southern China as worst-hit Macau was still picking up the pieces after Typhoon Hato, the city`s strongest typhoon in 53 years according to the city government. In Macau, the storm will pose a major setback to clean-up efforts that saw Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops deployed to help remove mountains of stinking debris strewn across some heavily flooded districts battered by Hato. Police chief Ma Io-kun told a press conference yesterday he was not aware of the case, but said the government respects press freedom “very much.” — Reuters
Tropical Storm Pakhar hits Hong Kong and Macau with sustained winds of 100 km/h (62 mph) and heavy rain, four days after deadly Typhoon Hato passed through the area.