Storm buffets Hong Kong: Tropical cyclone Kompasu moved slowly across the northern part of the South China Sea before slamming into the territory, making landfall at Sai Kung Country Park late Friday afternoon.

The Observatory cancelled all cyclone signals at 8:20pm as tropical storm Kompasu moved away from Hong Kong and weakened.

It made landfall over the Sai Kung Country Park late this afternoon before moving inland into Guangdong.

At 8pm the storm was centred about 70 kilometres north of the Hong Kong Observatory, about 22.9 degrees north and 114.1 degrees east.

Two women injured by falling objects

Two women, in North Point and Tsuen Wan, were sent to hospital with slight injuries after being hit by falling objects.

Ten other people suffered minor storm-related injuries and were sent to hospital. Eight were treated and discharged. 

The Buildings Department received a report of falling concrete at the Belcher's Tower in Western District, and of collapsed scaffolding on Kowloon City Road. Cyberport also experienced a scaffolding collapse at a construction site.

There was minor flooding in Lockhart Road, and no landslips were reported.

There were 19 requests for emergency assistance concerning fallen trees and trunks on the roads, four in Hong Kong, six in Kowloon and nine in the N ew Territories.

The Home Affairs Department activated a Public Enquiry Service Hotline, 2835 1473, to answer questions from the public about the storm.

The department also opened 28  temporary shelters across Hong Kong for people in need of accommodation. By 7:30pm, 276 people had taken refuge in them.

Transport news broadcast on radio

Transport began returning to normal after the signal No. 8 was lowered.

All ferry services were suspended during the storm due to rough seas.

The Hong Kong International Airport recorded delays in eight arriving and five departing flights. One arrival and one departure were cancelled.

As congestion is expected in the vicinity of the Kwai Chung Container Port after the passage of the typhoon, drivers are advised to avoid using Tsing Kwai Highway, West Kowloon Expressway, Kwai Chung Road, Tsuen Wan Road and Tuen Mun Road.

Heavy goods vehicle drivers proceeding to the Container Port are advised to use one of the three holding areas in Container Port Road for waiting and display their destination booklets. They should not block the roads by waiting or lane cutting. They should also follow the instruction of Police Officers and listen to the radio on the latest traffic situation.

Public going to the airport are reminded to allow extra time for their journey.

Police appeal to members of the public to make use of public transport and set out earlier than usual.

Hospital Authority A&E services remain open

The Hospital Authority's clinics, general out-patient clinics, specialist clinics including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, geriatric day hospitals and psychiatric day hospitals closed during the storm.

Accident and emergency services at hospitals remained open.

Schools close

The Education & Manpower Bureau suspended all school classes, and advised schools to implement measures to ensure students' safety.

Primary Six students' registration with the secondary schools allocated through the Secondary School Places Allocation process was postponed until Monday.

All kindergartens and schools for physically and mentally handicapped children suspended classes, and the Vocational Training Council closed all skills centres for the disabled.

The Social Welfare Department closed all child-care centres, elderly-services centres and day-rehabilitation units - including sheltered workshops and day activity centres.

More cancellations, closures

* The Judiciary closed all courts, tribunals, court registries and offices. Those who were due to attend court hearings today but were affected by the issuing of tropical cyclone signal No.8, including the jurors, should do so at 9.30am tomorrow.

* The Home Affairs Department's regional forum on constitutional development to be held this afternoon in Sha Tin for the Constitutional Development Task Force was cancelled.

* The Leisure & Cultural Services Department cancelled the "Children's Wonderland of Tang Poems" workshop and mini-concert scheduled for today at the Prosperous Garden Piazza in Yau Ma Tei at 2pm.

* Mamma Mia!, scheduled for tonight at Hong Kong Cultural Centre's Grand Theatre at 7.45pm, was cancelled. Ticket holders can exchange them for similarly-priced tickets at another performance of the musical in the remaining season at any URBTIX outlets.

* The performance of "Seven" to be held tonight at Hong Kong Cultural Centre's Studio Theatre was rescheduled to July 19 at 8pm. Ticket-holders who are not able to attend the rescheduled programme can get a refund. Call 2268 7323 during office hours if you have questions.

* The Tourism Commission suspended the "Symphony of Lights" waterfront rooftop laser show.  

* The Lecture Series by Lam Man-yee at the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Percussion Concert by Scrap Arts Music at the Kwai Tsing Theatre were cancelled. For refund arrangements, call 2268 7321 during office hours.

* Tonight's Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's performance of "My Heart, My Home" at Hong Kong Cultural Centre's Concert Hall was postponed to tomorrow evening. Refunds will be arranged for ticketholders who cannot make the newly scheduled event.

* "A Concert of Cantonese Nanyin Vernacular Music" to be held tonight at the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre theatre was rescheduled to tomorrow at 2pm at the same venue. Call 2268 7323 during office hours if you have questions.

* The Vocational Training Council cancelled its Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Examinations and Insurance Intermediaries Qualifying Examinations scheduled for today.

* The International Council on Education for Teaching  cancelled all afternoon and evening activities related to its 2004 World Assembly today.

* Driving Examination Centres and Vehicle Examination Centres closed. Anyone with an exam scheduled for today should make another appointment.

* The Police offices of the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction, Central Traffic Prosecution Division, Police Headquarters Shroff and Police Licensing suspended services.

* The Joint School Chinese Music Concert scheduled for tonight at 7.30pm at the Ko Shan Theatre was postponed.

* The film "20 30 40" of the Sylvia Chang tribute scheduled for tonight at the Hong Kong Film Archive at 7.30pm was postponed. Ticket holders may attend the re-scheduled screening at 7.30pm on July 22 at the Archive or request a refund.

* Programmes originally scheduled for tonight at City Hall are postponed. They include:

- Funful Group of School Annual Speech & Prize Giving Day; and 

- the Gu Zheng Workshop.