BEIJING: Typhoon Muifa gained strength in the Eastern China Sea upon Wednesday (Sep 14), forcing the termination of hundreds of flights out of the financial center of Shanghai plus threatening the busy slot discussed by Ningbo plus Zhoushan cities.
Zhejiang province upgraded its typhoon emergency response to the highest level as Muifa is expected to move northwest at an acceleration of 20kmh to 25kmh, intensifying and finally reaching coastal locations south of Zhoushan, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
China’s 12th cyclone of the year was expected to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon or even night, according to forecasters. Shanghai issued a good advisory warning just for wind gusts and heavy rains are expected until Thursday.
More than 50 per cent of flights will be decreased or cancelled on Shanghai Pudong Airport terminal and Hongqiao Airport on Wednesday with 589 flights currently affected, according to state media.
Plane tickets at Zhoushan and Ningbo airports were also cancelled.
Zhejiang authorities released a “red warning” for flash floods in several areas and the national weather forecaster said there was a higher risk of water damage of small plus medium-sized rivers within northeast Zhejiang and waterlogging in eastern and northern Zhejiang, Shanghai, southern regions of Jiangsu and other areas.