Typhoon heading toward southern China, Hong Kong with 90 mph winds

HONG KONG, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Hong Kong on Monday canceled more than 180 flights as Typhoon Nida, which is generating winds up to 93 miles per hour, approached its shores.

Nida, also called Tropical Storm Carina, is one of the most powerful typhoons of the year. The Hong Kong International Airport canceled flights scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. The Hong Kong Observatory on Monday issued a Tropical Cyclone Signal 3 at noon, closing all kindergarten schools and special needs classes. The observatory later increased its advisory to the third highest warning, Tropical Cyclone Signal 8.

"The weather will deteriorate rapidly after sunset. There will be squalls, heavy rain and rough seas. There may be flooding in low-lying areas," the Hong Kong Observatory said, adding that the storm is expected to arrive in China's southern provinces during high tide -- increasing the risk of flooding.

The China National Commission for Disaster Reduction agency has urged residents to stock up on provisions to last from one to three days. Strong winds are expected to last throughout Monday night and into Tuesday morning as it moves inland and weakens.

Nida hit the Philippines with about 11 inches of rain in the country's northern regions, triggering flash flood and sandslide warnings.