Shenzhen at 8:30 a.m. issued a red alert for rainstorms in the eastern districts such as Pingshan and Dapeng as heavy rains brought by Typhoon Kompasu, which is expected to land in Hainan Island in the afternoon, are sweeping through these areas. Schools and kindergartens across the city are suspended today as the yellow alert for typhoon remains effective.

The city’s meteorological observatory upgraded the alert level for Typhoon Kompasu from blue to yellow at 11:30 a.m. yesterday. This is said to be the city’s first typhoon yellow alert this year, representing the third most severe level in the five-tier weather warning system.

Kompasu, combined with a cold front from the north, is bringing the city’s strongest winds this year. Maximum wind gusts in some areas in the city might reach levels 11 to 13. But rainfall and strong winds are expected to lessen up tomorrow, according to the observatory.

Due to the typhoon, all parks across the city including Fairy Lake Botanical Garden have been closed since yesterday noon, according to the city’s park management center.

Additionally, all ferries to Zhuhai and Zhongshan from Shenzhen Airport Ferry Terminal have been suspended. Ferry services will resume tomorrow based on the weather situation, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport said yesterday. Passengers can get the latest ferry service information by calling 0755-2345-5388 or 2345-5300.

Shenzhen Library also suspended on-site services after the city’s issue of yellow alert for Typhoon Kompasu.

Guangdong has a five-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, blue and white.