Hong Kong (CNN) The world's strongest storm this year, Typhoon Mangkhut, continued its path of destruction across Southeast Asia over the weekend, reaching mainland China on Sunday afternoon after pummeling Hong Kong and killing dozens in the Philippines.

The storm has carved a deadly trail across the region, killing two people in southern China and at least 54 people in the Philippines . Many of the Philippines' deaths were caused by landslides, with dozens more still believed to be buried beneath the deluge, government officials said at a news conference Sunday.

More than 2.45 million people have been evacuated in China's Guangdong province as Mangkhut made landfall at 5 p.m. local time, according to Chinese state media.

Xinhua reported that 18,327 emergency shelters had been activated, and that 632 tourism and 29,611 construction sites had been shut down.

As Mangkhut marched toward the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong was also buffeted by fierce winds that tore off roofs, downed trees and caused cranes perched atop half-built skyscrapers to swing ominously.

Hong Kong's weather observatory issued its highest storm warning alert -- a signal T10 -- and the normally bustling city was all but shut down as transport was suspended and torrential rain flooded roads and buildings.

Winds of 173 kilometers per hour (107 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 223 kph (138 mph) were reported, stronger than Hurricane Florence that hit North Carolina over the weekend . There were no reported deaths in Hong Kong, a city well prepared for tropical cyclones.

Airports in Shenzhen, a technology hub across the border from Hong Kong, and on the resort island of Hainan also canceled all flights, according to Chinese state media.

Mangkhut is now expected to move inland of western Guangdong. While the storm has weakened, a T8 warning was still in place into Sunday evening -- meaning that winds with speeds of about 63 kph were expected.

Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A man looks out of a damaged building in Hong Kong after Typhoon Manghkut. Hide Caption 1 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Evelyn Wigan wipes away a tear as she waits for news of missing relatives who were near the site of a deadly landslide in Itogon, Philippines. Hide Caption 2 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Rescuers in Itogon continue search operations on Wednesday, September 19. Dozens have been confirmed dead in the landslide, and dozens are still missing. Hide Caption 3 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Workers in Hong Kong clean up scaffolding that had been knocked down by the storm. Hide Caption 4 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A man holds an umbrella as he walks past fallen trees in Hong Kong on Sunday, September 16. Hide Caption 5 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A former school in the Hong Kong village of Shek O was destroyed by Typhoon Mangkhut. Hide Caption 6 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Rescue workers wade through floodwaters during a rescue operation in Macau on September 16. Hide Caption 7 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Huge waves surge in Shenzhen, China, on September 16. Hide Caption 8 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Rescuers evacuate areas in Macau. Hide Caption 9 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A taxi is left abandoned after breaking down in Hong Kong. Hide Caption 10 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Fierce winds and rain pierced this building in Hong Kong. The typhoon tore off roofs, downed trees and caused cranes to swing ominously. Hide Caption 11 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Rescuers assist a mother and her child after the deadly landslide in the Philippines. Hide Caption 12 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut The landslide scarred this hillside. Hide Caption 13 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Strong winds churn waves on Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor. Hide Caption 14 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Hong Kong residents rest in a shelter on September 16. Hide Caption 15 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Rescue workers help a woman to cross a flooded street in the village of Lei Yu Mun, in Hong Kong on Sunday. Hide Caption 16 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A tree sits after falling onto a school bus in Hong Kong. Hide Caption 17 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Debris from houses destroyed by Typhoon Mangkhut lay scattered on the ground in Tuguegarao city in northeastern Philippines, on Sunday, September 16. Hide Caption 18 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Villagers look down an alleyway filled with seawater in Lei Yu Mun on Sunday. Hide Caption 19 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut People walk through a flooded shopping mall in Heng Fa Chuen district on Sunday, September 16. Hide Caption 20 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut People battle strong winds as they cross a street in China's Guangdong province on Sunday, September 16. Hide Caption 21 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Workers transfer sacks of grains from a toppled truck in northeastern Philippines on Sunday, September 16. Hide Caption 22 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A security guard wades across floodwaters in Heng Fa Chuen on Sunday, September 16. Hide Caption 23 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A fire rescue worker helps a child cross a flooded street in the village of Lei Yu Mun in Hong Kong. Hide Caption 24 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A policeman walks through makeshift tent shelters damaged by strong winds in Tuguegarao. Hide Caption 25 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A man takes a photograph as waves crash over a promenade in Hong Kong, on Sunday. Hide Caption 26 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Residents stand by a flooded road in Tuguegarao city in northeastern Philippines, on Saturday, September 15. Hide Caption 27 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A wave overwhelms a man as he tries to recover salvageable materials in Manila, Philippines, on Saturday, September 15. Hide Caption 28 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut An elderly man waits for a taxi as Typhoon Mangkhut edges closer to Hong Kong, on Sunday, September 16. Hide Caption 29 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut People pray inside of a temple ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Mangkhut in Sanhe village, China, on Saturday. Hide Caption 30 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Fishermen remove their boat from the water ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Mangkhut on the outskirts of Zhanjiang, China, on Saturday. Hide Caption 31 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Volunteers and police check on residents after Typhoon Mangkhut hit Tuguegarao, Philippines, on Saturday. Hide Caption 32 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A family shares a meal by flashlight inside a temporary evacuation center after electricity was shut off following the onslaught of Typhoon Mangkhut in the city of Tuguegarao, Philippines, on Saturday. Hide Caption 33 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut An elderly Filipino woman copes in the typhoon-hit town of Aparri, Philippines, on September 15. Hide Caption 34 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Members of a family survey their heavily damaged home in Alcala, Philippines, on September 15. Hide Caption 35 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A basketball hoop is toppled in Tuguegarao City, Philippines, on September 15. Hide Caption 36 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Philippine soldiers help a man with a sick child after fallen electric poles blocked an ambulance transporting them in Baggao, a town north of Manila, on September 15. Hide Caption 37 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A woman weeps as she describes her family's experiences during the typhoon in Baggao on September 15. Hide Caption 38 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Crews work to clear a road of debris in Baggao on September 15. Hide Caption 39 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Motorists negotiate a flooded street in Manila on September 15. Hide Caption 40 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Children collect recyclable materials washed ashore in Manila on September 15. Hide Caption 41 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A motorist tries to avoid the flooding in Manila on September 15. Hide Caption 42 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Residents make their way through destroyed stalls at a public market in Tuguegarao City on September 15. Hide Caption 43 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Commuters push a car through floodwaters in Manila on September 15. Hide Caption 44 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Motorists push their motor bikes through a flooded street in Manila on September 15. Hide Caption 45 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Commuters brave the elements in Manila on September 15. Hide Caption 46 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Strong winds and rain batter buildings in Tuguegarao City on September 15. Hide Caption 47 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Street sweepers go about their daily business as rain and strong winds pound Manila on September 15. Hide Caption 48 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Guests sleep inside a hotel restaurant after strong winds damaged the roof of their room in Tuguegarao City on September 15. Hide Caption 49 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Heavy rain falls in Tuguegarao City on Friday, September 14. Hide Caption 50 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Officials conduct a patrol in Aparri ahead of the typhoon on September 14. Hide Caption 51 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A satellite image shows the width and trajectory of Mangkhut as it approaches the Philippines on September 14. Hide Caption 52 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A farmer gathers his herd of cows to a safe place as the typhoon nears Tuguegarao City on September 14. Hide Caption 53 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Fishermen secure a boat in Aparri before the storm arrives on September 14. Hide Caption 54 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Villagers from Aparri cut tree branches on September 14 in preparation for the massive storm. Hide Caption 55 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut An evacuee rests inside an evacuation center in Tuguegarao City on September 14. Hide Caption 56 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A volunteer moves through relief goods September 14 as Tuguegarao prepares for the typhoon's arrival. Hide Caption 57 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Residential buildings in Hong Kong are reflected in a McDonald's restaurant window, taped in preparation for Typhoon Mangkhut, on September 14. Hong Kong and Macau are currently in the typhoon's path. Hide Caption 58 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Workers lay sandbags at the waterfront of the Lei Yue Mun area of Hong Kong on September 14. Hide Caption 59 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut People secure the roof of a house in Tuguegarao on September 14. Hide Caption 60 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut A worker steps over sandbags ahead of the typhoon's arrival in Hong Kong on September 14. Hide Caption 61 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Fishermen work amid the rough seas near Aparri on September 14. Hide Caption 62 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrives for a government briefing on the typhoon at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Quezon City on Thursday, September 13. Hide Caption 63 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Duterte, second from left, observes the disaster agency's operation center in action in Manila on September 13. Hide Caption 64 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut High-rises are visible above choppy waters in Hong Kong's Wan Chai District on Wednesday, September 12. Hide Caption 65 of 66 Photos: In photos: Typhoon Mangkhut Sailors remove debris on a US naval base in Guam on Tuesday, September 11, after the typhoon swept through the island territory , causing flooding and power outages. Hide Caption 66 of 66

Philippines toll set to rise

The Philippines remains the worst hit, with more than 250,000 people affected by the storm across the country -- around half of those seeking shelter in evacuation centers in the country's north.

When Mangkhut made landfall in the Philippines Saturday morning at 1:40 a.m. local time, the storm was already packing winds of up to 270 kph (165 mph).

While the death toll is currently 54, with 32 people injured and 42 more missing, this is likely to rise in the coming days as rescue teams work to locate 36 people believed to be buried beneath landslides in the Cordillera Administrative Region, in the north of Luzon island.

Rescuers assist a mother and her child as they move to safer grounds following landslides in the Benguet province in northern Philippines on Sunday.

As of Saturday, the storm had caused 51 landslides in the north of the Philippines.

The most severe damage came in Luzon's north, a sparsely populated region that's considered the breadbasket of the Philippines, although areas as far away as Manila -- more than 340 km (200 miles) from the eye of the storm -- were hit with heavy rains that caused flooding in urban areas.

The country is no stranger to tropical cyclones -- more than 6,000 people died when Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines five years ago, the worst in a generation. That storm displaced nearly 4 million people.

Sunday: Hong Kong lashed

Mangkhut is expected to be one for Hong Kong's record books. It's only the 15th time in the last 60 years that a storm has been classified as T10; the last was for Super Typhoon Hato last year.

Along the coast, the gambling enclave of Macau closed all its casinos, and all fishing boats from China's Guangdong province were called into port.

Hong Kong's famed Victoria Harbor was also hit with a storm surge of more than 3.9 meters (12.8 feet) above chart datum on Sunday. More than 550 flights at airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou were also canceled, according to Flightaware.com.

Hong Kong authorities had been warning residents to prepare for the storm for days, and on Saturday, grocery stores were packed with people stocking up on goods. Buildings across the city were either boarded up or had their windows taped in order to mitigate the damage of broken glass.

Other cities around the Pearl River Delta -- which includes Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macau -- were also on high alert.

Mangkhut was still expected to bring heavy rain to Hong Kong, with flood warnings in place for low-lying areas.