Macau casinos stayed open during Typhoon Wipha

Typhoon Wipha slammed into Macau on Sunday, triggering a No. 10 storm alert – the highest level, signalling potential winds of 118 kilometres per hour and “gusts of great intensity” from the tropical cyclone.

Before the storm, the Macau Gaming Inspection and Inspection Bureau (DICJ) called for the closure of ports, businesses and bridges. But it ordered city casinos to remain open, to prevent their patrons from venturing into the storm.

“The gaming premises and venues will be maintained in proper condition during the typhoon,” the DICJ said in a statement Sunday. “The casino will make arrangements for the staff and guests to take a rest in the event of a typhoon.”

Macau spared a direct hit

The Macau Post Daily called Wipha “the potentially strongest tropical cyclone to  threaten Macau so far this year”. It represented the earliest time in a calendar year that a No. 10 signal was hoisted since record-keeping began in 1968. 

At the storm’s peak, ground and air transportation and ferry service were suspended or cancelled. Macau International Airport cancelled 140 flights. Wipha sent 139 people to emergency shelters and caused 163 accidents and five injuries.

Fortunately, Wipha (“lightning” in Thai) veered from a direct path toward Macau before reaching it. The storm then moved with gale-force winds toward southern China, where it caused widespread flooding. It is reported to be heading to Vietnam, with landfall expected on Tuesday. Wipha also killed at least five people in the Philippines.

In an update Monday, the Macau Municipal Affairs Bureau stated that more than 90% of open leisure areas in the city and eight public markets were open as usual. The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau has cancelled all typhoon signals.