Latest news with #SuperTyphoon
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
'Considerable threat': Typhoon Wipha triggers highest storm warning in Hong Kong, disrupting travel across South China
The powerful Typhoon Wipha disrupted air travel on Sunday across Hong Kong and neighbouring Chinese airports as it tracked westward along the southern coastline. Flight operations at airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao were suspended during daylight hours, according to their official websites. Several high-speed rail services in the region were halted. Hong Kong Observatory activated its highest alert level, hurricane signal No. 10. at 9:20 a (Hong Kong time) Officials reported the storm's centre passed just south of the city around noon, bringing sustained winds reaching 140 kilometres (87 miles) per hour. The Hong Kong Observatory warned that Typhoon Wipha was 'posing a considerable threat' to the city as it would skirt about 50km to the south around noon, South China Morning post reported. The No 10 signal, the highest-level warning, means that winds with mean speeds of 118km/h or more are expected. The last No 10 signal was during Super Typhoon Saola in 2023, with the storm causing 86 injuries, landslides and thousands of trees to fall. Authorities confirmed that more than 200 residents sought refuge in public shelters, with numerous reports of trees being toppled. Popular attractions including Hong Kong Disneyland remained closed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo The system, which intensified to typhoon status overnight, advanced towards Macao and Zhuhai. Forecasters predicted landfall late Sunday before continuing westward, eventually reaching Vietnam later in the week, AP reported. Wipha, bearing a Thai-origin name, traversed the Philippines as a tropical storm before drenching Taiwan on Saturday. Western Pacific typhoon names are selected by regional nations. In the Philippines, the system enhanced monsoon rainfall, resulting in one fatality in northern Cagayan province due to flooding. The severe weather impacted over 370,000 people, with 43,000 evacuating to government shelters or relatives' homes because of floods, landslides and strong winds. Officials reported damage to more than 400 residences during the event.
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Business Standard
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
Hong Kong issues T10 hurricane signal, highest warning for Typhoon Wipha
The Hong Kong Observatory on Sunday issued its highest warning for tropical cyclone Typhoon Wipha which is descending on the city and is "posing a considerable threat." Authorities have hoisted the T10 signal, which is the highest-level warning, this morning at 9.20 am (local time). It warned that the typhoon would skirt about 50km to the south around noon. The highest-level warning, means that winds with mean speeds of 118km/h or more are expected. The last No 10 signal was during Super Typhoon Saola in 2023, with the storm causing 86 injuries, landslides and thousands of trees to fall according to local media, including the SCMP and Hong Kong Free Press. The annual Hong Kong Book Fair and over 500 flights have been cancelled, the local media reported adding that the weather service urged the public to take precautionary measures. If the eye of the tropical cyclone passes directly over Hong Kong, there may be a temporary lull. The Hong Kong Observatory warns that this lull will be followed by a sudden resumption of violent winds, so residents have been advised to stay in safe places. The water level rose to about 3 metres above Chart Datum at Tai Po Kau. Maximum gusts exceeding 103 kilometres per hour were recorded at Tate's Cairn, Hong Kong Free Press reported. The Hainan and Guangdong provinces remained on high alert after the storm brought rain and flooding to the Philippines. A significant number of flights are cancelled or rescheduled, Xinhua news agency reported. So far, Wipha has resulted in one reported injury involving a man and reports of uprooted trees, while 214 people have sought refuge in government shelters. As of 9am, the government had opened 34 temporary shelters with 214 people seeking refuge. Over 500 weekend flights have been cancelled and the Airport Authority said 400 could resume in the afternoon at the earliest after the typhoon moved away from the city. Several MTR lines will maintain a limited service, although those on open sections including the Light Rail and Airport Express have been suspended. Most ferry and bus services have also been suspended. According to experts, warming of the seas leads to tropical cyclones.
Arab News
29-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
In Asia's Catholic heartland, Filipinos remember ‘compassionate' Pope who renewed their faith
MANILA: The death of Pope Francis has stirred an outpouring of grief across the Philippines, as many remember his compassionate leadership during one of the nation's darkest times. The Argentine pontiff, leader of the Catholic Church since March 2013, died at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican on April 21. He was 88 years old. In the Philippines, home to Asia's largest Catholic population, the pope is adoringly referred to as 'Lolo Kiko,' or Grandpa Kiko. He left an indelible mark in the country after a historic four-day visit in January 2015, when he celebrated an open-air mass in Manila that drew more than 6 million devotees, making it the largest papal gathering in history. But many among the Philippines' 85 million Catholics were deeply moved by his visit to Tacloban City in central Philippines during the same trip, braving heavy rain to conduct a mass in memory of the more than 6,000 people who perished in Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. 'When he visited Manila and Tacloban, especially after the devastation of (the) typhoon, it deeply touched the hearts of so many. He didn't come as a distant leader, but as a father who wanted to personally console and strengthen us,' Alfredo Navarro III, a seminarian from the diocese of Balanga, told Arab News. 'Filipinos love Lolo Kiko so much because he has shown real concern for us. Not just in words, but in action. He has made it clear that he understands our struggles and is familiar with our culture.' For Navarro, Pope Francis was a beacon of hope 'in a world where it sometimes feels like God is absent because of wars, conflicts and so many struggles.' 'Watching Pope Francis live out the Gospel in such a simple yet powerful way made me realize even more deeply that God is truly present, even in the most broken parts of our world. Through him, I felt God's love reaching out to me and to everyone,' he said. 'Because of Pope Francis, I feel a stronger calling to be a sign of that same love — to be more present to others, especially to those who are last, the least and the lost.' World leaders and hundreds of thousands of people bade farewell to Pope Francis in a funeral at the Vatican on Saturday, where he was eulogized as a pope of the people. Many young Filipinos took to social media to mourn his passing, honoring him as an inspiration and a figure who renewed their faith. 'I do not claim to be a model Catholic. I never was and I do not think I will ever be. But his words, his actions, the way he saw Christ in the last, the least and the lost was fuel to my faith. It was grace made real, alive and living,' Marion Bais Guerrero wrote on Facebook. Filipino sociologist Athena Charanne Presto said on X that Pope Francis 'made being Catholic less morally suffocating, less burdened by contradiction.' 'This is heartbreaking news for the faithful and for those like me who only slowly found their way to faith because someone at the helm reminded us that the Church could also be a place to breathe.' In Pope Francis, Raymond Zabala saw a leader who touched the lives of many, even those who are not Catholics. 'He respects all people regardless of their religion or status and in the same manner people from other religions respect him as well. I know of some friends who are non-practicing Catholics who are deeply saddened by his passing,' he told Arab News. 'His passing reminded us of the values of kindness and compassion.'
Filipino Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
A world in mourning: Hundreds of thousands gather for Pope Francis' funeral
In a historic display of global mourning and unity, hundreds of thousands of faithful, dignitaries, and world leaders gathered at St. Peter's Square to bid farewell to His Holiness Pope Francis. Among those who paid their final respects were Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, joining heads of state, church leaders, and representatives from around the world. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 due to a cerebral stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse, according to the medical certificate published by the Vatican. His death marks the end of an extraordinary papacy defined by humility, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to the marginalized. Elected on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis made history as the first Jesuit Pope, the first Latin American, and the first non-European pontiff in more than 1,200 years. Adopting the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, he became a powerful symbol of the Church's mission to serve the poor and advocate for justice. The Filipino people remember Pope Francis fondly, especially for his Apostolic Visit to the Philippines in January 2015. There, he comforted victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and celebrated the resilience and faith of Filipinos amidst hardship. His visit left a lasting imprint on the hearts of millions. In solidarity with the global community's mourning, President Marcos Jr. declared a period of national mourning in the Philippines through Proclamation No. 871, issued on April 23, 2025. The proclamation honors Pope Francis' legacy until his burial. Following the solemn funeral Mass, Pope Francis' remains will be taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome for entombment—making him the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican grounds. Throughout the funeral ceremonies, a palpable sense of loss transcended religious and national boundaries. A poignant reflection described him as a rare spiritual force who saw dignity beyond denominations and called the world to choose compassion, courage, and action over apathy and applause. Royalty, presidents, prime ministers, and countless ordinary faithful stood side by side under the solemn Roman skies, as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re led the funeral Mass. In his homily, Cardinal Re prayed: 'Dear Pope Francis, now we ask you to pray for us. We ask you from heaven to bless the Church, bless Rome, bless the whole world, as you did last Sunday from the Lodge of this Basilica in the final embrace with God's people—and at the same time symbolically with all mankind seeking truth with a sincere heart and carrying high the torch of hope.' Today, the world bids farewell not only to a spiritual leader but to a beacon of hope who reminded humanity of its better angels. Pope Francis' legacy will endure in every act of kindness, humility, and courage inspired by his life. —Alona Cochon
France 24
26-04-2025
- General
- France 24
'Shared loss': Filipino Catholics bid Pope Francis farewell
Young people crowded into the front rows of the Sacred Heart Parish Shrine, where a trio of large fans kept parishioners cool as four days of national mourning in Asia's Catholic bastion neared an end. Giving people a place to share their pain and loss was an "act of gratitude," parish priest Father Randy Flores told AFP. "Pope Francis is special for Filipinos because he came here and we saw his impact on the faithful, especially his message of peace and caring for the vulnerable and the poor," Flores said. "Filipinos really love him." Known to many Filipinos as "Lolo Kiko", or "grandfather Francis", the pope visited in 2015, when he ministered to the survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest storm in the country's history. Within hours of the announcement of his death this week, bells were rung and requiem masses were held at churches across the country of more than 90 million Catholics. On Saturday, as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered his homily in Rome, Joylene Sto. Domingo, 38, recounted how she had strained to catch a glimpse of the pontiff as he passed by on the streets of the capital. You could feel his kindness even from afar, the church youth advisor said. "As the faithful, our faith was reenergised and doubled" by his visit, she said. "He really cared for our youth," she added. "That's why he is our pope." Nedji Lee, a grade 9 student and parish volunteer, told AFP his own fondest memory of Pope Francis had come courtesy of a TikTok video. "He was asked if he could grant only one miracle (what would it be), and he answered that he wanted to heal all the sick children," the 16-year-old remembered. "It made me want to be a better person, a better Catholic." The funeral in Rome was still ongoing when the Manila service concluded. Some stayed and watched silently as the pageantry unfolded on the screens. The young people gathered around a framed photo of the pontiff to snap a group picture, then rushed off for promised snacks. Sister Imaniar Rusani, an Indonesian nun assigned to the Philippines, told AFP she had come to the service because it felt right to be with fellow believers for the funeral. "It's good to be with the people," she said, adding she was unbothered by the service being conducted mostly in Filipino, a language she does not speak.
