For the first time in its illustrious 29-year history, the upcoming Macao International Fireworks Display Contest has been cancelled, as a result of the furious Typhoon Hato.
The contest was set to begin this Saturday (Sep 2) with a team from Perth – Cardile Fireworks – to kick off the month-long challenge as Australia’s representative team.
But sadly, due to the widespread damage caused by the typhoon and as a mark of respect to those killed and injured in the massive storm, the event was cancelled.
Meanwhile, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is making unreserved efforts to coordinate and handle various tasks in the wake of the typhoon, which took the lives of six, injured more than 150 and left the city with widespread damage.
With wind gusts of up to 240km/h compounded by severe tidal conditions, the former Portuguese enclave felt the full fury of the typhoon, the most severe storm to hit the city in more than five decades.
The high tide created massive flooding in low-lying areas, causing a city-wide blackout, water supply stoppages and telecommunication breakdowns. The disaster relief authorities reported 290 incidents caused by the typhoon, such as falling trees, antenna cables and advertising boards.
Since a number of districts in Macao and the islands are currently under cleaning and restoration work, the MGTO urges cooperation to minimise visits to the affected districts so that restoration work can be carried out smoothly.
It was the first time since 1999 that Macau had hoisted the No. 10 signal, the highest typhoon warning signal, officials said.
MGTO operates its tourist information counters at the Ritz Building, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, Border Gate, Macau International Airport and Taipa Ferry Terminal as usual to attend to visitors.
Due to various degrees of damage at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Taipa Ferry Terminal, tour groups to Macao were affected.
The MGTO has approached hotel properties for further information on their situations, including their status of water and power supply as well as room reservation.
If visitors have already made their room reservation or are planning to make a reservation in Macao, they are advised to enquire with the respective hotels of their latest situations. The MGTO has also assigned inspectors to patrol different ports of entry in Macao for prompt awareness of the latest situations.
The tourism body is currently examining and accessing the situations and conditions concerning its upcoming events. If any new arrangement arises, a public notice will be made accordingly.
MGTO advises residents and visitors to pay attention to the situations concerned.
For enquiries, please contact the 24-hour tourism hotline service at 0011 853 28333000
