Typhoon Bebinca Strikes Shanghai with Unprecedented Force
Shanghai has been hit by the most powerful typhoon in 75 years, as Typhoon Bebinca made landfall on Monday in the coastal area of Lingang New City, east of China’s financial hub. The China Meteorological Administration confirmed the storm’s impact, with state media reporting it as the strongest storm to strike the city in decades.
Massive Evacuations as a Precaution
In response to the impending storm, more than 400,000 people in the Shanghai metropolitan area were relocated by Sunday evening. An additional 9,000 residents were evacuated from Chongming District, an island at the mouth of the Yangtze River, as part of precautionary measures to ensure the safety of those in Bebinca’s path.
Flights Cancelled and Transportation Disrupted
As Typhoon Bebinca approached, Shanghai’s two main airports cancelled hundreds of flights, grounding all air traffic to prevent potential disasters. Train services were suspended, and several highways were closed as authorities worked to minimize risk during the storm.
Shanghai Residents Advised to Stay Home
With wind speeds reaching up to 151 km/h at the typhoon’s eye, authorities issued a red alert, the highest level of warning. Shanghai’s 25 million residents were advised to stay indoors as the storm battered the city with powerful winds and heavy rainfall. Although Bebinca is expected to weaken as it moves inland, the damage caused by the storm’s initial impact is still being assessed.
Ongoing Response and Recovery Efforts
As the storm continues its course, authorities remain focused on emergency response and relief efforts. The extensive evacuations and precautionary measures have so far helped mitigate the worst potential outcomes, but recovery efforts are expected to take time as Shanghai deals with the aftermath of the strongest typhoon to hit the city in decades.
Also learn about Super Typhoon Yagi Ravages Hainan, Vietnam, and the Philippines, Killing 22 and Displacing Over 1 Million.
