- Sputnik International
Asia
Find top stories and features from Asia and the Pacific region. Keep updated on major political stories and analyses from Asia and the Pacific. All you want to know about China, Japan, North and South Korea, India and Pakistan, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Twin Storms Cause Aborted Landings, Cancellations, Delays in Hong Kong, Macau

© AP Photo / Vincent YuDebris caused by Typhoon Hato damage is strewn across the waterfront of Victoria Habour in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017.
Debris caused by Typhoon Hato damage is strewn across the waterfront of Victoria Habour in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
A pair of closely following storms striking Hong Kong and Macau resulted in flight chaos and confusion, as many landings were aborted and hundreds of flights were either delayed or cancelled outright due to dangerous weather conditions in the region.

Last week's Hurricane Hato and Sunday's Severe Tropical Storm Pakhar saw widespread damage and at least 31 deaths, while disrupting flights as pilots, attempting to land in heavy crosswinds and violent windshear were forced to give up after multiple attempts and redirect to other, calmer airports.

People play in the strong wind from Typhoon Hato on the waterfront of Victoria Habour in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. - Sputnik International
Warning of Second Typhoon in One Week Causes Panic in Macau, Hong Kong

Hong Kong airport saw at least 42 aborted landing attempts between 7am and 7:30pm on Sunday as Pakhar's winds created a nightmare scenario for pilots, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Flightradar24, a commercial flight tracking website, recorded that several aircraft made two, or even three, attempts to land, but were rebuffed as violent wind gusts tossed 200-ton aircraft like a child's toy.

Several pilots diverted to other locations, including Xiamen, Kaohsiung, Haikou, Manila and Bangkok.

Flight CX616 from Bangkok, after a three-hour flight and one failed attempt to land, simply returned to the Thai capital, according to SCMP.

Some 206 flights were cancelled and an estimated 471 delayed on Sunday, while 50 loaded planes sat on the tarmac in Hong Kong as the city saw its second severe storm in just seven days.

During the beating taken by the region at the hands of Typhoon Hato on Wednesday over 450 flights were cancelled, and widespread damage was recorded throughout the area.

As Sunday's Severe Tropical Storm Pakhar — the second major weather event in the region in just six days — lashed the city, officials advised travelers to be mindful of current conditions.

"Operations are quite severely affected," a city spokesperson said.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала