Rain and high winds from Typhoon Saola are headed towards southern China and Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, August 30, Typhoon Saola started her approach to the southern point of Taiwan, bringing with it heavy rain and high gusts that disrupted some travel plans. However, Reuters stated that it is not likely to make a direct landing on the island.

Several outlying islands and the city of Taitung in the south-east of Taiwan had their ferry services and flights canceled after Taiwan issued both land and marine warnings for the coming storm.

Pingtung county, located in the far south, is predicted to get the most rainfall. Some municipalities in these regions and along Taiwan’s eastern coast have halted school and work as a precaution.
According to the Tropical Storm Risk website, after passing through the Bashi Channel that divides Taiwan and the Philippines, Typhoon Saola is expected to make its way into the Guangdong region of southern China and Hong Kong.

Due to the presence of gale force winds and gusts sweeping throughout the South China Sea, China has already taken preventive steps, telling fishing vessels to return to ports along the southeast coast.