HONG KONG, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Observatory downgraded the typhoon signal to the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 12:40 p.m. local time on Sunday as Typhoon Noul moves away.

With Noul moving into inland Guangdong and weakening, local winds are decreasing gradually, according to the observatory.

The observatory issued the Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 at 10:10 p.m. on Saturday, and upgraded it to No. 9 at 1:10 a.m. on Sunday. The warning was replaced by the No. 8 signal at 7:10 a.m. local time today.

Due to the storm, many public services and activities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have been suspended.

The Home Affairs Department of the HKSAR government has opened temporary shelters for people in need.

The observatory said that the No. 3 signal is expected to remain in force for some time.