Nuri, which had been classed as a typhoon until it slowed after ripping through Hong Kong, landed in the southern province of Guangdong at 10:10 pm (1410 GMT) Friday, according to China's National Meteorological Centre.

Winds triggered by the storm killed three people after a billboard crashed onto them on a road in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, earlier Friday, the Xinhua news agency said citing police.

Heavy rains continued to lash southern China on Saturday, two government flood prevention officials in the area told AFP by phone.

The storm was packing winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour (55 miles), forcing more than 45,000 boats working in the South China Sea to be recalled and nearly 160,000 people to leave their homes, the China Daily said.

At least 20 people were injured and more than 40,000 trees were pulled down by the winds in the city of Shenzhen, in Guangdong, the report said.

Shenzhen's airport suspended almost all of its flights, the report said.

Hong Kong issued its highest storm warning in five years Friday as Nuri brought hurricane-force winds and heavy rain, shutting down most of the city and halting trade on the stock exchange.

A Hong Kong government spokesman said Saturday more than 100 people were injured in the storm, seven seriously. Another man was reported missing from a local beach, the spokesman said.

Seven people were killed when Nuri slammed into the northern Philippines on Wednesday.

Torrential rain has affected huge parts of southern and central China in recent months, taking a heavy toll in life and material damage.

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