A super typhoon Usagi hit Hong Kong on Sunday, forcing the closure of the city's schools, amusement parks and bathing beaches, and disrupting hundreds of flights.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued a No. 8 storm signal, the third highest level, at 6:40 p.m., and it said Usagi would make a landfall in the evening.

The Airport Authority said about 400 flights have been canceled or delayed. Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and other Hong Kong airline companies have warned that flights after 6 p.m. on Sunday will be canceled.

Mass Transit Railway (MTR) trains and rail services all over the city are still running but trains above ground will be halted if the wind grows stronger. Ferry and some bus services have been halted.

The city's Education Bureau said all schools had been canceled on Sunday. Amusement parks were closed and bathing beach officials have warned people not to swim in the sea.

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, at 7 p.m., Usagi was centered about 160 km northeast of Hong Kong and is forecast to move northwest at about 20 km per hour to approach the east coast of Guangdong Province.

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