Beijing/Hong Kong Sep 22 (IANS): At least two people have been killed as typhoon Usagi, the strongest of the year, made landfall in south China's Guangdong Province Sunday evening, local authorities said.

The typhoon, packing winds up to 162 km per hour at the centre, came ashore at 7.40 p.m. in east Guangdong's Shanwei City, according to the provincial meteorological station.

Before the landfall, a tree was felled by strong winds in Shantou City, killing two people, the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said.

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.