Tropical cyclone signal No. 3 has been raised in Hong Kong as tropical storm Kompasu is nearing Hong Kong, and more violent signal No. 8 is expected to be raised within two hours.

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, tropical cyclone Kompasu is moving slowly across the northern part of the South China Sea. It is forecast to move northwest or west-northwest at about 20 kilometers an hour towards the Pearl River Estuary.

Classes of all Hong Kong schools and kindergartens were suspended Friday. The Vocational Training Council also closed all skills centers for the disabled.

Schools implemented measures to ensure the safety of students. They should ensure that conditions are safe before students are allowed to return home.

The Transport Department advised the public to heed radio broadcasts on bus service arrangements during the typhoon as the level of services on some bus routes may vary according to demand,road or weather conditions.

Ferry services may be suspended at short notice, even before the issue of typhoon signal No 8, the department noted.

At 10 a.m. local time (0200 GMT), the storm's center was about 21.9 degrees north and 114.8 degrees east. Near its center, the maximum sustained winds are about 75 kilometers per hour.