Typhoon Krovanh has passed its closest point to Hong Kong and is gradually moving away from the territory. All signals were cancelled at 11.30am.

At 11am, Typhoon Krovanh was centred about 480 kilometres west-southwest of Hong Kong (near 20.5 degrees north 110.0 degrees east) and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 22 kilometres per hour departing Leizhou Peninsula and entering Beibu Wan.

As the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 was still in force this morning, the Education & Manpower Bureau suspended classes of all kindergartens, and schools for physically and mentally handicapped children today.

All skills centres for the disabled will also be closed all day.

The Social Welfare Department advised parents not to take their children or family members to child-care centres, elderly services centres and day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops and day activity centres.

These centres will, however, remain open to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them.

The HK Observatory had issued the strong wind signal No. 3 at 11.30am yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department advised swimmers not to swim at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District since the shark prevention net there was demaged by big waves.