Typhoon Imbudo, the first typhoon in the season, made a relatively uneventful visit to Hong Kong despite the issuing of No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal.

The No. 8 Signal, which was issued at 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, was replaced by the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 8.15 a.m. Thursday as the storm moved further away from Hong Kong and headed toward western Guangdong.

Since the issuing of No. 8 Signal until its cancellation Thursday, 11 people suffered minor injuries, mostly because of falling objects.

A total of 83 cases of fallen trees were reported, but no reports of serious flooding were received.

Apart from a few temporary obstructions caused by fallen trees, most road networks were generally unaffected by the typhoon.

At the Hong Kong International Airport, eight arrival and nine departure flights were delayed, 15 arrival and 21 departure flights were canceled and two arrival flights diverted.

But the Airport Express and Tung Chung Line rail services have resumed normal operation. Ferries, buses and trams also resumed operation gradually.

The Social Welfare Department announced Thursday morning that all child care centers, elderly services centers and day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops and day activity centers resumed normal operation.

The Judiciary announces that all courts, tribunals, court registries and offices will open in the afternoon.

The Hong Kong Observatory said Imbudo is gradually edging toward western Guangdong.

It forecast local winds will weaken during the day and the No. 3 signal will be canceled when strong winds no longer affect Victoria Harbor.

As of 9 a.m. Typhoon Imbudo was centered about 280 kilometers west-southwest of Hong Kong. It is forecast to move northwest at about 25 kilometers per hour.

The Observatory forecasts It will remain showery on Friday and Saturday.

Imbudo, which means "funnel" in the Filipino language, killed at least five people on Tuesday when it tore through the Philippines. The storm was the strongest to hit the country since 1998.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2003)