The tropical cyclone was expected to make landfall in mainland China later on Sunday with winds equivalent to those of a Category 2 Atlantic hurricane.

Wipha, a Thai name, passed over the Philippines at tropical storm strength and drenched parts of Taiwan on Saturday. In the Philippines, the storm intensified seasonal monsoon rains, leaving at least a villager dead in floodwaters in northern Cagayan province.

Hong Kong lowered its storm alert from the highest level as tropical cyclone Wipha moved past the city, with Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. set to resume some flights later on Sunday.