Shanghai has taken extensive precautionary measures as Typhoon Bebinca approaches, suspending transportation, closing major tourism sites, including the Disney Resort, and recalling ships. The Category 1 storm, with winds reaching 144 km/h (89 mph), is expected to strike China’s eastern coast late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
Local meteorological authorities upgraded the alert for Typhoon Bebinca to “orange”—the second-highest warning level—at 5:00 PM on Sunday. The storm is predicted to make landfall between Shanghai’s Pudong area and Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province.
As of Sunday morning, Bebinca’s center was located 435 kilometers southeast of Shanghai, and the storm is moving northwest at a speed of 25 km/h, with its intensity expected to increase. Authorities have also raised the emergency response to a level-one alert, the highest in the system.
Also Read: Myanmar Floods Claim 74 Lives as Typhoon Yagi Causes Widespread Devastation
The looming typhoon has disrupted travel, with more than 600 flights canceled at Shanghai’s two major airports. Pudong Airport alone canceled 406 flights, while Hongqiao Airport canceled 210 flights by midday Sunday.
In addition to flight cancellations, Shanghai traffic police announced further traffic control measures, effective from 10:00 PM on Sunday. Speed limits on highways, urban expressways, and elevated roads will be reduced to 60 km/h, while the limit on Huangpu River bridges will be lowered to 40 km/h. Large vehicles are prohibited from using these roads, although essential services such as police cars, ambulances, and rescue vehicles are exempt.
With the storm expected to intensify, authorities have also activated emergency responses to address potential flooding and other risks associated with the typhoon’s impact.
Key Points
Shanghai Takes Precautions: Shanghai has suspended transportation, closed tourism sites, including the Disney Resort, and recalled ships in preparation for Typhoon Bebinca.
Typhoon Details: Typhoon Bebinca, a Category 1 storm with winds of 144 km/h (89 mph), is expected to make landfall between Shanghai’s Pudong area and Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, from Sunday night to Monday morning.
Weather Alert: The typhoon alert has been upgraded to “orange,” the second-highest level in the warning system.
Emergency Response: Authorities have raised the emergency response to level-one, the highest alert level.
Flight Cancellations: Over 600 flights have been canceled at Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports, with Pudong Airport canceling 406 flights and Hongqiao Airport 210 flights by midday Sunday.
Traffic Controls: Starting at 10:00 PM Sunday, traffic limits will be enforced with reduced speed limits on highways, urban expressways, and elevated roads. Large vehicles are prohibited on these roads, while essential service vehicles are exempt.
Flooding Risks: Emergency measures for potential flooding have been implemented as the storm approaches.
