TROPICAL STORM HEADING FOR HONG KONG TO INCREASE TO TYPHOONl

Tropical Storm Koppu is moving toward the southeast Fujian province on 14 September 2009. Meteorologists predict that the centre of the storm will make landfall west of Hong Kong on 15 September. Wind speeds are expected to increase to typhoon status before the storm makes landfall and begins to dissipate. Boats in the area have been ordered to harbour, and oil workers offshore have been evacuated in preparation for the storm. Shipping across the Qiongzhou Strait has also been suspended. The cities of Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou and Longyan are expected to be the most affected.