The Hong Kong Observatory on Monday night issued a standby warning to alert the public to the impending arrival of possibly the strongest storms to hit the city.

The No.1 standby signal was raised by the observatory as Typhoon Chanchu centered 750 km south of Hong Kong on Monday night.

As the tropical cyclone is estimated to move north at about 14 km per hour toward the coast of neighboring Guangdong Province, Hong Kong will be affected by strong winds on Tuesday.

A few showers were expected on Monday night, with showers and squalls on Tuesday, according to a statement from the observatory.

It said winds will be strong over offshore waters later on Tuesday.

A No.3 alarm might have to be raised on Tuesday as winds pick up, according to Poon Hoi To, a senior officer with the observatory.

Typhoon Chanchu, which means pearl in Cantonese, blew through the Philippines on Sunday killing more than 30 people.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2006)