Hong Kong - Schools were closed, ferries grounded and flights cancelled or delayed Wednesday as Hong Kong was sideswiped by its first severe tropical storm of the year.

Tropical storm Fengshen, downgraded from a typhoon after crossing from the Philippines where it caused heavy loss of life, brought the wealthy former British colony to a virtual standstill early Thursday.

Weathermen hoisted the severe tropical storm signal number eight late Tuesday for the first time in 2008, forcing kindergartens, schools and offices across the city of 6.9 million to shut down.

A number of flights in and out of Hong Kong International Airport were cancelled or delayed when the storm was at its peak between 6 am and 8 am through flights later returned to normal.

Heavy rains and gale-force winds lashed the territory but there were no early reports of severe flooding or injuries as a result of the storm.

The tropical storm made landfall in Shenzhen in neighbouring southern China and was the storm signal was expected to be lowered later Wednesday.

Hong Kong's typhoon season runs from June to September but it is rare for a typhoon to score a direct hit on the wealthy high-rise city, with storms usually taking their greatest toll in China. (dpa)