The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) hoisted the gale signal No. 8 as Typhoon Hagupit gathered speed and moved closer to Macao, which also forced local land, sea and air traffic to be suspended starting from yesterday afternoon.

The SMG hoisted the strong wind signal No. 3 at 1:00 pm yesterday local time, which was replaced by the gale signal No. 8 later at 7:15 pm, when the tropical storm was 190 km southeast off the Macao coast, moving northwest by west at a speed of 30 km per hour toward the west part of China's Guangdong province.

The presence of Hagupit has brought strong winds and heavy rain showers. The SMG forecast that Hagupit will be the closest to Macao early Wednesday morning, and the No. 8 gale signal will remain hoisted for tonight.

Bad weather has led to the suspension of ferry services between Macao and Hong Kong. The Turbojet ferry service, run by Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Limited, and the First Ferry stopped operation before 6:00 p.m. local time.

Most of the flights scheduled to depart Macao after 7:00 p.m. local time were canceled, according to the real-time departure information provided by the Macao International Airport. Air Macao, local flagship airline, announced that all of its flights will resume operation Wednesday, except a flight scheduled to depart for Bangkok.

Meanwhile, local bus services were also halted after 8:30 p.m. local time, and the three sea-spanning bridges that linked the Macao Peninsula with the Taipa Island were also closed due to the storm. Since the No. 8 gale signal was hoisted at night, local education authorities only called off the classes at local kindergartens.

With winds blowing strongly all over the city, some pedestrians were injured by falling objects, mostly high-hanging fascia.

According to the weather forecast from the SMG, today will be an overcast day with strong gale and showers heavy at times.