Typhoon Nida makes landfall, lashes Hong Kong

Gale-force winds and heavy rains lashed Hong Kong after Typhoon Nida made landfall Tuesday near Dapeng Peninsula in China's Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Observatory reported.

Nida had generated winds up to 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph) as it moved toward Hong Kong but showed signs of weakening after it struck land about 4 a.m. local time (4 p.m. ET Monday), the observatory said.

"When it finally makes it there, it will slow down and weaken," CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar said earlier.

Squalls, heavy rain and rough seas battered Hong Kong, located about 42 kilometers (28 miles) from the Dapeng Peninsula, as the storm approached, the observatory said.

Cheung Chaur reported sustained winds of 68 kilometers per hour (42 mph) and maximum gusts of 105 kilometers per hour (65 mph), the observatory said.

The government warned of flooding in low-lying areas. Temporary shelters have been established while schools in flood-prone areas have contingency plans in place. Kindergartens and special-needs classes have been closed.

The observatory said that as winds in Hong Kong turn to south-westerlies, places which had been sheltered before would become more exposed to the high winds.

Nida was expected to arrive during high tide, increasing the threat of flooding, the Hong Kong Observatory said.

Hundreds of train routes and flights had already been canceled in cities across southern China as Nida barreled toward land after battering the Philippines over the weekend.

Trains canceled in Guangzhou

In the nearby southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, more than 600 high-speed trains have been canceled due to the approaching storm, state-run Xinhua news reported.

Services may resume Tuesday night if the situation improves, the report said.

The China Meteorological Administration has issued a typhoon red alert -- the highest level of warning -- over the approaching typhoon, its first such alert of the year.

People in affected areas have been instructed to stock up on daily necessities to last one to three days, the China National Commission for Disaster Reduction said, according to Xinhua.

Flights affected

More than 180 flights scheduled to depart or arrive in Hong Kong between Monday and Tuesday have been canceled, according to Hong Kong International Airport's website.

All Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair flights scheduled to go through Hong Kong between 10 p.m. local time Monday until 2 p.m. Tuesday will be suspended, the airlines said.

A spokesman for Hong Kong's Airport Authority said the public should check its website and with airlines before departure for the latest flight information.

Philippines battered

Nida, also called Tropical Storm Carina, hit the Philippines on Saturday, pouring up to 11 inches of rain over the country's northern parts.

Northern Luzon and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan were on alert for flash floods and landslides triggered by the rains, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Government agencies were on standby to provide aid, CNN Philippines reported, with more than 31,000 family food packs prepared.

CNN's Tiffany Ap wrote and reported from Hong Kong, Tim Hume from London and Ralph Ellis from Atlanta. CNN's Taylor Ward and Andreena Narayan contributed to this report.