The strongest storm of the year so far has descended on the northern Philippines with destructive winds and torrential rain, prompting evacuations of thousands of people and preparations in nearby Hong Kong,

Hundreds of flights have been disrupted across the region, with cancelations in Taiwan, Hong Kong and southern China.

The city's Education Bureau had also taken a rare step to suspend schools for two days.

Hurricane Gabrielle has formed across the central Atlantic as the former tropical storm strengthened Sunday afternoon.

Hurricane Gabrielle rapidly intensified into a major Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph by Monday afternoon, according to a National Hurricane Center update.

This month England received above average rainfall for the first time since January according to the Environment Agency with the week of 12-18 September being the wettest 'for almost a year'.