HONG KONG, June 13 — Typhoon Merbok spared Hong Kong any major damage as it pounded the financial hub with heavy rain and strong winds before moving further inland today towards southern China.

Financial markets, schools, businesses all resumed normal operations today, a day after hundreds of thousands of workers scurried home early as authorities hoisted the No. 8 typhoon signal.

The No. 8 storm signal means that winds with mean speeds of 63kmh or above are expected, with gusts possibly topping 180kmh.

The Airport Authority said late yesterday that more than 41 flights had been cancelled and 275 were delayed.

Merbok made landfall on the eastern side of Mirs Bay before midnight and then headed across coastal Guangdong province.

Hong Kong lowered the storm signal to No. 3 early this morning and it was expected to remain in force for most of the morning. — Reuters