Saola continues to edge closer to Hong Kong as a Super Typhoon, the Hong Kong Observatory will consider issuing the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal no. 9 between 6pm and 8pm tonight (September 1). Under the influence of storm surge, the water level in low-lying coastal areas will rise rapidly tonight and there may be serious flooding. Meanwhile, the water levels over other coastal areas of Hong Kong will also start to rise significantly from around 6am tomorrow (September 2). Considering the latest development and situation of the tropical cyclone, the Education Bureau announced that classes of all schools will remain suspended tomorrow in order to ensure students' safety.

     In view of the latest typhoon situation, the Home Affairs Department has opened the following additional temporary shelter for people in need:
 

     Please refer to the annex for the full list of temporary shelters that are now open. For enquiries, please contact the emergency hotline on 2572 8427.

     The No. 8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at 2.40am today (September 1) remains in force.

     The Home Affairs Department has opened 39 temporary shelters in various districts as at 4pm today and 277 people have sought refuge at the shelters so far.

     As at 4pm today, the 1823 Government Call Centre has received 12 reports of fallen tree. The Drainage Services Department has received seven confirmed flooding cases. No report of landslide has been received so far.

     According to the Hospital Authority, as at 3.40pm today, two men have been injured during the typhoon period and sought medical treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of public hospitals.

     â€‹In view of the latest typhoon situation, the Home Affairs Department has opened the following additional temporary shelter for people in need:
 

     Please refer to the annex for the full list of temporary shelters that are now open. For enquiries, please contact the emergency hotline on 2572 8427.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 1) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
      
     Twenty-three beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 15 as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).
      
Grade 1 beaches are:  

 
Grade 2 beaches are:  

 
Grade 3 beaches are:  

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Middle Bay Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Anglers' Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Approach Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
      
     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
      
Note 1: Lifeguard services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 26 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from September 1.
      
Note 2: This refers to the non-gazetted beach in Discovery Bay which has no lifeguard service.