Shanghai, Zhejiang brace for Typhoon Bebinca

SHANGHAI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — Authorities in Shanghai and east China’s Zhejiang Province have taken precautions against Typhoon Bebinca, the 13th this year, which has been forecast to bring gales and rainstorms.
The approaching Typhoon Bebinca has led to flight cancellations over Shanghai and the suspension of passenger ferry operations in the city.
Shanghai Railway Station has also planned to suspend passenger trains on several routes passing through the city from Sunday to Monday.
The operator of Shanghai’s airports stated that temporary rest areas have been prepared for passengers, and in-house catering vendors and convenience stores have been instructed to offer continuous service.
The city’s passenger ferry operator suspended all ferry routes starting Sunday.
Typhoon Bebinca could be the strongest typhoon to make landfall in Shanghai since 1949. The city is making all-out efforts to implement various typhoon defense measures.
According to the Shanghai flood control headquarters, as of 5 p.m. Sunday, over 377,000 people had been relocated and 811 vessels had been evacuated to safe locations.
Due to the impact of the typhoon, all flights at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport were canceled starting from 8 p.m. Sunday.
Shanghai Disneyland, Disneytown and Wishing Star Park were temporarily closed from 5 p.m. Sunday, with plans to resume normal operations on Sept. 17, according to the Shanghai Disney Resort.
In Zhejiang, all coastal port operations have been suspended, coastal passenger routes halted and water-related construction projects put on hold, according to the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration.
The province also raised its emergency response for typhoon prevention to level II.
Typhoon Bebinca is most likely to make landfall between Pinghu in Zhejiang and Shanghai on Monday morning, according to meteorological authorities in Zhejiang. ■