Beijing - Tropical storm Nuri killed three people when it made landfall in southern China's Guangdong province, state media said Saturday.

The storm, which was downgraded to a strong tropical storm, made landfall in the province Nanlang Town, Zhongshan City, late Friday packing winds of up to force 10, or 
90 kilometres per hour, the Xinhua news agency said, citing the provincial meteorological station.

But even before the storm made landfall, Nuri-triggered winds toppled a traffic indicator board on an expressway in the provincial capital Guangzhou City, that crashed into a passing van, killing three people onboard, Xinhua quoted local police as saying.

Earlier Friday, Nuri made landfall in the coastal areas along Sai Kung in Hong Kong, causing hundreds of flights to be cancelled in Hong Kong. Flights in Macau were also cancelled or delayed, with falling objects injuring three people.

The storm is the 12th to hit China this year, Xinhua said. (dpa)