Beijing/Hong Kong, Sep 22 (IANS): Super typhoon Usagi, one of the strongest storms of the year, made landfall in south China's Guangdong Province Sunday evening, local meteorological authorities said.

The typhoon, packing winds up to 162 km per hour in the eye, landed at 7:40 p.m. in the coastal areas of east Guangdong's Shanwei City, Xinhua reported citing the provincial meteorological station.

Earlier, the super typhoon hit Hong Kong Sunday, forcing the closure of the city's schools, amusement parks and bathing beaches and disrupting hundreds of flights.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued a No.8 storm signal, the third highest level, and said Usagi would make a landfall in the evening.

The airport authority said about 400 flights have been cancelled or delayed. Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and other Hong Kong airline companies have warned that flights after 6 p.m Sunday will be cancelled.

Mass transit trains and rail services all over the city are still running but trains above ground will be halted if the wind grows stronger. Ferry and some bus services have been halted.

The city's education bureau said all schools have been ordered closed.

Amusement parks were closed and bathing beach officials have warned people not to swim in the sea.