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 Tuesday afternoon, Xinhua reported. The SMG hoisted the strong wind signal No. 3 at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday local time, which was replaced by the gale signal No. 8 later at 7:15 p.m., 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.
