Tropical Depression (12-14/9/1998) A tropical depression developed over the northern part of the South China Sea about 270 km southsoutheast of Hong Kong on the early morning of 12 September. Tracking westwards, it skirted past the north coast of Hainan Island the next day. The tropical depression then entered Beibu Wan and degenerated into an area of low pressure after making landfall over northern Vietnam on 14 September. In Hong Kong the Standby Signal No. 1 was hoisted at 6.15 a.m. on 12 September as the tropical depression formed over the South China Sea. Due to the combined effect of the tropical depression and the northeast monsoon, local winds were occasionally strong offshore and on high ground. The weather was unsettled with occasional squally heavy showers and seas were rather rough over the coastal waters. The tropical depression was closest to Hong Kong at around 8 p.m. on 12 September when it was about 210 km to the south. At the Hong Kong Observatory headquarters, the lowest hourly sea-level pressure of 1 002.8 hPa was recorded at 6.00 p.m. that day. As the tropical depression moved away from Hong Kong, all signals were lowered at 4.30 p.m. on 13 September. Locally, squally showers associated with the tropical depression caused several road accidents, injuring around 10 people.
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