Typhoon Bebinca wreaks havoc in Shanghai, leading to flight cancellations
Shanghai, China – Typhoon Bebinca has caused chaos in Shanghai, with all flights at the city’s two main airports being cancelled on Sunday. The Chinese megacity is bracing itself for the arrival of the strong typhoon, which is expected to bring high winds and heavy rain.
Preparations for the typhoon’s arrival have been underway, with fishing boats seeking shelter in the port in Zhoushan, located in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. Authorities are on high alert as Typhoon Bebinca is projected to make landfall along a stretch of China’s densely populated eastern seaboard between Sunday night and Monday morning, according to Beijing’s emergency management ministry.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that all flights at Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports would be grounded from 8 pm on Sunday (1200 GMT) due to the impending storm. The decrease in traffic capacity at the airports is directly attributed to the impact of Typhoon Bebinca.
The emergency management ministry issued a statement warning of “heavy to torrential” downpours with the possibility of “local heavy or extremely heavy rainstorms” from Sunday through Tuesday. Officials convened a meeting on Saturday to strategize and deploy flood and typhoon control measures in key areas.
As the typhoon coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival public holiday, China’s railway operator is anticipating 74 million trips during this period, according to state news agency Xinhua. With the high mobility expected during the holiday, officials are urged to closely monitor the typhoon’s development and prioritize safety measures.
The water resources ministry has initiated a level-four emergency response for flooding in Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. Additionally, the weather office has issued orange typhoon warnings for several districts in Shanghai and neighboring provinces, advising precautionary measures such as avoiding large gatherings and reinforcing structures against strong winds.
Shanghai municipal authorities have called on residents to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to mitigate the typhoon’s impact on various sectors including high-altitude work, transportation, infrastructure, and agriculture. Passenger shipping lines in Shanghai have been suspended as a safety measure, as announced by the municipal port and shipping development centre.
Amid the trail of destruction left by Typhoon Bebinca, it is imperative to acknowledge the role of climate change in exacerbating extreme weather events. China, as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, faces the consequences of intensified typhoons and other natural disasters.
In the wake of Typhoon Bebinca, it is crucial for authorities and residents alike to prioritize safety and preparedness in the face of such calamities. The resilience of communities will be tested, but with proper planning and cooperation, the impact of the typhoon can be mitigated.
As the situation unfolds in Shanghai and surrounding areas, vigilance and adherence to safety protocols are paramount. Stay tuned for further updates on the aftermath of Typhoon Bebinca and the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the affected regions.