China is ramping up emergency preparations as Typhoon Wutip barrels toward its southern provinces, threatening to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds. Multiple authorities convened on Saturday to put precautionary measures in place ahead of the storm.
Typhoon Wutip, the first typhoon of the year, made its initial landfall on Friday evening in Dongfang City on China’s island province of Hainan. It then made a second landfall around noon on Saturday in Leizhou City, Guangdong Province, just north of Hainan.
The office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters warned that Typhoon Wutip is expected to trigger sustained, widespread, and intense winds and rainfall, significantly increasing the risk of disasters. The office urged relevant departments and local governments to remain on high alert.
To bolster disaster prevention efforts, the office has dispatched three working teams to Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Additionally, over 3,000 personnel from local firefighting units have been deployed to the frontlines.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has mobilized emergency rescue forces and aircraft in preparation for potential disasters. Due to heavy rainfall caused by the typhoon, the Ministry of Water Resources has activated a Level-IV emergency response to flooding in Zhejiang Province on eastern China’s coast. The ministry has urged local authorities to closely monitor weather changes and utilize water conservancy infrastructure to safeguard lives and property.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed of weather updates and follow instructions from local authorities. With prompt action and coordinated efforts, China aims to mitigate the impact of Typhoon Wutip and ensure the safety of its people.
