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Weather alert for city as typhoon Fung-Wong keeps heading north

2014-09-23 09:23 Shanghai Daily Web Editor: Qian Ruisha
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Community officials evacuate residents in an old residential area in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, yesterday before typhoon Fung-Wong made landfall in the eastern province’s Xiangshan County. More than 250,500 people were forced to flee their homes across the province by midday. — Xinhua

Community officials evacuate residents in an old residential area in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, yesterday before typhoon Fung-Wong made landfall in the eastern province's Xiangshan County. More than 250,500 people were forced to flee their homes across the province by midday. — Xinhua

More rain and strong winds are expected in Shanghai today as typhoon Fung-Wong continues to head north, the city's weather bureau said yesterday.

At 10pm it issued a yellow alert for heavy rain overnight and into this morning.

The typhoon, formed on September 18 just east of the Philippines, landed in Taiwan at 10am on Sunday and made a second landfall in Zhejiang Province's Xiangshan County at 7:35pm yesterday. Xiangshan is about 240 kilometers from Shanghai.

Fung-Wong brought torrential rains and powerful winds to Xiangshan and other parts of Ningbo, the city that administrates the county. As of 7pm yesterday, average precipitation in Xiangshan reached 161 millimeters, the local flood control bureau said.

Fung-Wong lashed Zhejiang with heavy rain and gales, which toppled 13 houses, before it made landfall. Rivers swelled and 14 reservoirs exceeded their warning levels.

More than 250,500 people had been evacuated in the province as of midday yesterday. At least 32,900 ships were called back to seek shelter at ports.

Flights to and from Ningbo were canceled and 117 bus services suspended. All primary schools in the city will be closed this morning.

Last night, the storm was said to be weakening but still heading north at some 18 to 24 kilometers per hour. It is expected to enter Shanghai this afternoon and head northeast tomorrow.

Most areas of Shanghai are expected to experience rainfall of 40 to 80 millimeters while some southwest regions will have up to 100 millimeters.

The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau upgraded Sunday's blue typhoon alert — the lowest in a four-color system (blue, yellow, orange and red) — to yellow at 10am yesterday, warning of possible force 9 gales within 24 hours. The National Meteorological Center maintained its yellow typhoon alert and a blue rainstorm alert.

Maritime safety authorities in Shanghai have sent more than 350 officers to check ships belonging to 107 companies berthed in local harbors.

Meanwhile, more than 100 flights were canceled while about 300 were delayed at the city's two airports, the Shanghai Airport Authority said.

About 80 flights, mostly domestic, were canceled at Pudong International Airport last night because of rain and strong winds. Some 120 inbound and outbound flights to east coastal regions suffered delays.

At Hongqiao, about 40 flights were canceled and 170 delayed.

Airlines are advising passengers to keep a close eye on flight information as it updates.

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