BEIJING, July 20 (Reuters) - Hong Kong issued its highest storm warning on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha, packing winds of more than 167 kilometres (103 miles) per hour, brought heavy rain and wind across the territory, forcing the cancellation of more than 200 flights.

Typhoon Wipha has caused major flight disruptions in Hong Kong and parts of southern China. Airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macao canceled or delayed all daytime flights on Sunday.

The Hong Kong Observatory will issue the No 9 storm signal at 7.20am on Sunday, seven hours after the first No 8 warning of the year took effect, as Typhoon Wipha edged its way towards the city. The forecaster said Wipha’s hurricane winds will be “rather close” to Hong Kong as the typhoon will skirt at about 50km south of the city around noon,