Hong Kong closes schools as typhoon nears

Typhoon Chanchu roared towards Hong Kong and China’s southern coast today, just days after killing nearly 40 people and leaving thousands homeless in the Philippines.

The killer storm – the strongest reported in the South China Sea in May - veered to the east overnight and was expected to pass Hong Kong later today, but its eye was not expected to hit the territory, the Hong Kong Observatory said.

The typhoon’s centre is expected to slam into Guangdong province – one of China’s main manufacturing centres – tomorrow morning, the observatory said.

Chanchu, which means “pearl” in Chinese, was about 155 miles south-south east of Hong Kong early today, moving at 11mph and packing winds of 103mph near the storm’s centre.

Hong Kong ordered nursery schools to close, along with schools for mentally handicapped children.

Some ferry services to outlying islands were suspended.

Chanchu swept over the Philippines last weekend, killing 37 people and destroying thousands of homes.