The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) hoisted the gale signal No. 8 at 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday as Typhoon Nuri gathered speed and moved closer to Macao, Xinhua reported. The SMG confirmed that by 2:00 p.m. local time, Nuri was 90 km east off the coast of Macao, and was sweeping northwest at a speed of 15 km per hour toward Hong Kong. The tropical cyclone has brought strong winds and heavy showers to the island city. The SMG's meteorological station recorded that gust velocity reduced to 98 km per hour, and it forecast that there will be flooding in some low-lying areas. Bad weather has caused the suspension of most of the city's public traffic. The city's three bridges connecting the Macao Peninsula and the Taipa Island were closed for the time being. Local flagship airline Air Macao and Taiwan's Eva Air announced the cancellation of all the flights scheduled to depart Macao this afternoon. Other flights at the Macao International Airport were either delayed or canceled as well. Ferry services between Macao and Hong Kong were also temporarily closed after 07:45 a.m. local time on Friday, and dozens of passengers were stranded at Macao's Outer Harbor this afternoon. As for the land transport, the city's two major bus companies were forced to suspend their operations at 01:20 p.m. local time, due to the rain storm. Given bus service was halted, over 100 people queued up in front of the Border Gate, which links Macao to China's southern coastal Zhuhai, to take a taxi. Some of them complained that the taxi drivers were "extorting" them by demanding an extra 50 patacas (6.25 U.S. dollars) for every ride. With weather conditions deteriorating, most of the employees of local companies and government departments and local students took their extra leave, and exams scheduled to take place at local schools and institutions were canceled after the hoisting of the gale signal No. 8 this afternoon. The storm also led to some minor accidents. According to the city's Civil Defense Center, by 06:00 p.m. local time some 52 accidents were reported, most of which involve falling objects, such as advertising sings, iron sheets and aluminum windows, from a height. Some civilians were injured in two of these accidents. Despite the wet and windy weather, Macao's casinos were still opened to their customers, so as to offer gamblers "the best possible shelter", the Macao Daily Post quoted a gaming executive as saying. According to the SMG forecast, Nuri will be the closest to Macao at night, and since the cyclone will not directly pass through the city, higher level gale signal will not be hoisted for the rest of the day.
