All flights at Shanghai’s two main airports have been cancelled as the city braces for the impact of Typhoon Bebinca, which is expected to make landfall between Sunday night and Monday morning. Authorities have issued warnings of high winds and heavy rainfall as the storm approaches China’s densely populated eastern seaboard.
The cancellation of all flights at Pudong and Hongqiao airports commenced at 8 PM on Sunday, due to the anticipated severe weather conditions. Authorities have indicated that adjustments to flight schedules will be communicated promptly based on the evolving impact of the typhoon.
The emergency management ministry has issued a statement forecasting “heavy to torrential” rainfall, with potential localized extreme rainstorms occurring from Sunday through Tuesday. In preparation, officials conducted a meeting to strategize flood and typhoon control measures in critical areas.
Typhoon Bebinca is poised to disrupt travel plans during the Mid-Autumn Festival public holiday, a time historically associated with increased passenger movement. China’s railway operator anticipates that around 74 million trips will be taken during this period.
Officials have urged vigilance regarding the typhoon’s development, citing high travel volume and associated safety risks. In response to the impending danger, the water resources ministry initiated a level-four emergency response for flooding, a precautionary measure covering Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui.
An orange typhoon warning, the second-highest alert level, has been issued for several districts in Shanghai and nearby provinces. Residents are advised against large gatherings, while boats have been ordered to return to port and any unstable structures reinforced to withstand strong winds.
In addition, passenger shipping services in Shanghai will be suspended starting Sunday. The preparations come in light of recent extreme weather events, with another typhoon, Yagi, having caused casualties and damage in southern China.
Typhoon Bebinca has already wreaked havoc in other regions, recently impacting Japan’s Amami island with gusts reaching 198 kilometers (123 miles) per hour and raising concerns over landslide risks due to heavy rainfall. The storm previously affected the central and southern Philippines, where it has been linked to fatalities and significant flooding.
