The Big Buddha & Typhoons

 

Hong Kong is in the path of typhoons and every year a few would bring some rain.  Sometimes just that, sometimes with high gusts of wind and a day off because of that.

My parents' generation can still remember vividly the horror of living through some of the Super Typhoons (with a maximum wind at centre of 185km/h or above).  The last time a Super Typhoon gave Hong Kong a direct hit was Hope of 1979.  The ones before were Rose of 1971, Ruby of 1964 and Wanda of 1962, with Wanda and Rose each resulted in a death toll of more than one hundred in Hong Kong. 

My dad has this belief that this Big Buddha which sits in Hong Kong's Lantau Island, not only is the world's tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha, is also Hong Kong's saviour from tropical cyclones. 

Statistically speaking, there is some truth in it as since it's completion in 1993, we have been spared by some of the strongest typhoons that had otherwise, caused havoc in our neighbouring countries.  In recent years however, more and more people acquire the illusion that there is nothing to fear about when a super typhoon strikes, which is not the exact right attitude to have. 

Vastly understandable though, when the recent Super Typhoon Megi, which slammed The Philippines at 155 mp/h; caused massive mud and rock slides in Taiwan, decided to take a detour as soon as he saw Big Buddha holding his hand up from afar.

Would you be inclined to nod and agree with this old man?