Typhoon Bebinca, strongest in more than 70 years, hits Shanghai, China
On the morning of September 16, China Central Television (CCTV) reported: “Typhoon Bebinca made landfall in Pudong, Shanghai at around 7:30 a.m. today local time, with winds gusting to level 14 (151 km/h). Bebinca also surpassed typhoon Gloria, becoming the strongest typhoon to hit Shanghai since 1949.”
Previously, CCTV said all flights at Shanghai’s two main airports – Pudong and Hongqiao – were canceled from last night, September 15, due to Typhoon Bebinca.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management forecasts that Typhoon Bebinca will bring torrential rains from Sunday (September 15) to Tuesday (September 17).
Officials held a meeting over the weekend to “study and implement storm and flood control work in key areas.
Shanghai suspended transport links and closed tourist attractions, including Shanghai Disney Resort, on September 15 in response to Typhoon Bebinca.
Shanghai has a population of about 25 million. Typhoon Bebinca hit during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a major Chinese holiday.
The China Meteorological Administration issued a red typhoon alert on the afternoon of September 15, warning of strong winds and heavy rain in eastern China. According to Xinhua, Bebinca is forecast to move further inland after making landfall, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and other provinces.
Earlier, Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Hainan Province, southern China on September 6, with winds of more than 234km/h, killing at least 4 people and injuring 95. According to Reuters, Shanghai usually avoids strong storms that hit further south in China, including Typhoon Yagi.