Storm alert lifted while gale alarm remains

Shanghai weather authority lifted a red storm rain alert at 11:50am today as rains across town eased obviously.

Meanwhile, a gale alert, issued early this morning, was also degraded but the warning remains in effect. Wind-proof precautions should be prepared, weathermen warned.

A Metro station was flooded, Jinshan railway was seriously delayed and an amusement park was closed this morning as heavy rains and gale pounded the city under the lingering impact of Typhoon Fitow.

More than 50 roads and 600 households were flooded in the heavy rainfall this morning, according to vice director of Shanghai flood control headquarters, surnamed Zhang.

The rainfall in Songjiang District reached 300 millimeters, while most area of the city suffered torrential rain with precipitation over 100 millimeters, Zhang said.

An orange rain storm alert was upgraded to a red one at 7:38am today, the second time this year. A yellow gale alert was issued by the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau at 7:59pm.

Flights in the city's two airports, Hongqiao International Airport and Pudong International Airport are on schedule. However, air controllers expect delay at Pudong International Airport starting noon due to limited visibility in the downpour.

The Eastern Airlines cancelled seven flights to Japan and South Korea tomorrow, concerning the influence of Typhoon Danas.

Trains linking Jinshan District to downtown were suspended, while the Jiading New Town Station of Metro Line 11 was inundated this morning.

The Jinjiang Amusement Park was also closed due to the rainfall over safety concern.

Shanghai removed its blue alert for Typhoon Fitow at noon yesterday, but a blue alert for rain was upgraded to yellow, the third highest level in a four level system, last night. Heavy rain is expected today, but it will die down later and dry days are forecast for the rest of the week.

Temperatures will be between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius today and range from 19 to 27 degrees after that.

Cloudy weather is forecast for tomorrow until the weekend when it should be sunny again.

Today is hanlu, or "cold dew," in the Chinese lunar calendar, an indication of chilly weather ahead. After hanlu, a cold front will be active and temperatures are expected to drop quickly.

Shanghai Meteorological Bureau issued the year's first typhoon blue alert, the lowest level, at 9am on Sunday, warning authorities to take precautions and halting group outdoor activities and work on high-rises.

From 8am on Sunday to yesterday afternoon, most of the city suffered heavy rainfall.