Hong Kong - Flights and other transport services were suspended and offices and businesses, including government departments and the stock exchange, were closed for much of Wednesday as tropical storm Kammuri battered the territory. Cathay Pacific Airways suspended all Hong Kong operations for four hours between 1600 and 2000 hours local time as a result of the strong winds caused by the storm.
The departure of seven flights to Beijing, Sydney, the United States and the Middle East were rescheduled to the early morning Thursday, the airline said.
The airline temporary suspended its online and in-town check-in services at Hong Kong and Kowloon mass transit stations and advised passengers to check with the airline before leaving home.
China Airlines said that flights between Hong Kong and Taiwan would be affected.
All ferry services to Macau, southern China and Hong Kong's outlying islands were also halted after the Hong Kong Observatory raised the number 8 strong wind signal for only the third time this year at about 0600 hours Wednesday.
Most bus and tram services were also halted as people stayed home.
Transport services began to return to normal after the Observatory lowered the storm warning to a number 3 signal at around 1715 hours.
The strong winds brought down scaffolding and uprooted trees, but there have been no reports of serious damage or injuries.
Organisers responsible for the equestrian events taking place in Hong Kong as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics said none of the horses had been affected by the storm.
"The horses have taken advantage of the wet weather and are resting peacefully in the stables. Many are sleeping and in very good condition," a spokesman for the Equestrian Company said in a statement.
But two aircraft carrying 24 horses from China, the United States and United Arab Emirates had been delayed by the storm although they were expected to arrive in the next 24 hours.
"Slight damage" was sustained to the competition venue but this will not affect the opening of the equestrian events on Saturday.
Earlier Leo Jeffcott, the International Olympic Committee's veterinary adviser, said the equestrian events would be postponed if the number 8 storm signal was raised or if hot weather threatened horses' health.
Heavy rain or other bad weather would cause events to be held in the indoor arena, he said.
