Hong Kong issues tropical storm warning

HONG KONG, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Hong Kong weather officials say Tropical Storm Kammuri, approaching the Chinese city, is strong enough to lead them to issue a gale warning.

The alert, issued at 10 a.m. Wednesday, forced the cancellation of ferry trips to outlying islands as well as to neighboring Macao and some mainland cities, Xinhua, the state-run Chinese news agency, reported.

The Hong Kong weather observatory said the storm was centered 87 miles south-southwest of the city and was forecast to move west-northwest at 9 miles per hour toward Guangdong province. Chinese officials said the storm was packing gale-force winds.

Morning trading on Hong Kong's stock exchange was delayed by the warning. Temporary shelters have been opened in Hong Kong as a precaution and 38 flights at Hong Kong International Airport were delayed or canceled due to bad weather, Xinhua reported.