A strong typhoon bringing heavy rain and powerful winds hit Hong Kong on Tuesday, disrupting business in the city’s financial hub and resulted in the closing of the stock market earlier in the day.

A No. 8 storm signal or Southeast Gale, on a scale of 1 to 10, was raised by The Observatory in Hong Kong on Monday, which was expected to maintain its strength “for some time.”

Like Us on Facebook

Several government services, business and schools were closed while the storm was still at its peak.

Passengers were also affected when flights going in and out of Hong Kong were cancelled.

On Tuesday, the morning trading session in the city was cancelled as Hong Kong hoisted its third-highest storm signal, as the typhoon swept by the financial hub.

In a statement released by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. on Tuesday, it said the morning trading session is expected to remain closed while the No. 8 signal remained hoisted in the city.

However, a recent update revealed that the trading will resume at 1 p.m. local time as the typhoon signal was lowered as it moved away from the city.

According to the weather department, the wind strength is expected to wane later in the day.

"Although the typhoon is moving away from the city, its associated squally showers will still intermittently affect Hong Kong," the weather department said.

At around 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday, the Typhoon was located 420 km southwest of Hong Kong and was expected to head towards the direction of west-northwest at about 30 km per hour.

As the typhoon moves to the Hainan Island, residents returned to their daily routine.

There were about 44 fallen trees reported, and a taxi driver reportedly died in an accident during the onslaught of the typhoon.

TagsHong Kong, typhoon, No.8 typhoon, Typhoon Kalmaegi