South China’s coastal regions are bracing for Typhoon Wipha, the sixth typhoon of the year, which made landfall near Jiangmen City in Guangdong Province at around 5:50 p.m. on Sunday.
Regions including Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi have been placed on high alert as strong winds and heavy rainfall batter the coast. Meteorological forecasts predict that Typhoon Wipha will continue to strengthen as it moves westward at approximately 25 kilometers per hour.
In Zhuhai City, authorities raised the typhoon alert to red and upgraded the emergency response to Level I—the highest level—early Sunday morning. Schools, transportation, and businesses have been suspended, and residents are urged to stay indoors.
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was temporarily closed in response to the typhoon. Outbound customs clearance at Zhuhai Port was suspended, followed by the closure of the main bridge, according to the bridge’s management bureau.
In Shenzhen, a coastal city neighboring Hong Kong, a Level IV emergency response was activated, and an orange alert was issued. Over 900 indoor emergency shelters have been opened, and officials are inspecting construction sites, hazardous slopes, and old buildings to ensure safety.
Across Guangdong Province, more than 440,000 people have been evacuated from both land and sea areas. Emergency services are on high alert to deal with potential flooding and typhoon damage, according to the Guangdong Emergency Management Bureau.
In Hainan Province, the emergency response level was raised as strong winds and rainstorms are expected to impact the island between Sunday and Tuesday. In Haikou, the provincial capital, departments are taking precautions, including inspecting drainage facilities and ensuring market supplies.
The maritime authority is conducting electronic inspections in affected waters and maintaining real-time vessel monitoring. Water affairs departments have organized drainage teams to inspect and maintain facilities, while the power department has stationed repair vehicles in key areas.
In Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, torrential rains are forecast, and authorities have upgraded the typhoon alert and emergency response levels. Ferry services between Beihai City Port and Weizhou Island have been suspended to ensure safety.
China’s national observatory issued a yellow alert for Typhoon Wipha, emphasizing the severity of the storm. The country employs a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe, and a color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the highest alert.
Residents in the affected regions are advised to stay updated with official information and take necessary precautions to stay safe during the typhoon.
