Shenzhen activated a Level I emergency response for typhoon and flood control at noon today with the Super Typhoon Saola approaching.

The city's flood, drought and typhoon control headquarters ordered the suspension of construction, business operations and commercial activities from 4 p.m. and of public transportation from 7 p.m. School has been suspended since Thursday afternoon.

According to the forecast of the meteorological, hydrological and marine departments, the super typhoon is expected to make landfall in or near Shenzhen toght, causing severe rainstorms and gales from Friday afternoon. 

According to the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory, Super Typhoon Saola, as of 3 p.m. today, was about 160 kilometers southeast of Shenzhen over the sea, with a maximum wind force near the center of level 17 (58 meters/second). It is expected that Saola will move in a west-northwest direction at a speed of 10-15 kilometers per hour, with little change in intensity. It is expected to make landfall between Dapeng in Shenzhen and Hong Kong late tonight or early tomorrow morning, or pass through the waters 80 kilometers south off Hong Kong without making landfall, according to the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory.  

It will bring strong winds and heavy rain this afternoon and tomorrow with precipitation of 150 millimeters to 250 millimeters and the hour precipitation at 60-90 millimeters.