Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2018 shows a tree damaged by strong wind in Hong Kong, south China. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 10 hurricane signal, the top level warning, at 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, as severe typhoon Mangkhut is near. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

HONG KONG, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 10 hurricane signal, the top level warning, at 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, as typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong after it has left at least 25 people dead in the Philippines.

The top level warning means that winds with speeds of 118 km per hour or more are expected, and most public transport services will be suspended.

All buses, trams, and ferries have suspended services. A limited service is being maintained on the underground sections of the railway.

The Airport Authority Hong Kong reported that most flights have been canceled or delayed.

The Home Affairs Department has so far opened 48 temporary shelters in various districts and about 600 people have sought refuge at the shelters.

No landslide and flooding have been reported.

At 10:00 a.m., severe typhoon Mangkhut was centered about 150 km south-southeast of Hong Kong, near 21.0 degrees north and 114.5 degrees east, and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 30 km per hour towards the coast of Guangdong province in the Chinese mainland.

Mangkhut continues to move steadily towards the coast of western Guangdong, edging further closer to Hong Kong with a high threat.

According to the present forecast track, Mangkhut will be closest to the Pearl River Delta around noontime, skirting about 100 km to the south of Hong Kong.

The No. 10 hurricane signal will remain in force for a few hours, according to the observatory.

From 1946, the Hong Kong Observatory has issued such top level warning for 16 times. Before this warning, the previous one was issued in in Hong Kong in August last year.