China Ups Emergency Response to Typhoon Wipha in Guangdong and Hainan

China has upgraded its emergency response to Level III in Guangdong and Hainan provinces due to Typhoon Wipha, which is expected to bring rainstorms and heavy downpours. The response level remains at Level IV in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Relief supplies, including 33,000 items, have been dispatched to the affected areas. The four-tier emergency response system ranks Level I as the most severe response.

China has upgraded its emergency response to Level III in Guangdong and Hainan provinces due to the impending arrival of Typhoon Wipha. The typhoon is expected to bring significant rainstorms and heavy downpours, prompting the government to dispatch relief supplies, including 33,000 items, to affected areas. The four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe, has been activated to ensure the safety and well-being of the population.

Typhoon Wipha, the sixth typhoon of the year, is expected to make landfall along the coast of South China on Sunday afternoon or evening. As of 7 am Sunday, the typhoon was observed at 21.7 degrees north latitude and 114.9 degrees east longitude, with maximum wind speeds near its center reaching 33 meters per second. It is moving westward at around 25 km per hour and is expected to strengthen in intensity [1].

In Guangdong's Zhuhai city, the typhoon alert was raised to red, and the emergency response for typhoon control was upgraded to Level I at 3 am Sunday. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was temporarily closed in response to the typhoon, with outbound customs clearance suspended and the main bridge closed. School classes, transportation, and business activities have been suspended across Zhuhai, and residents have been urged to stay indoors [1].

Hainan, on the other hand, raised its emergency response for flood and typhoon control from Level IV to Level III at 8:30 am Sunday. The provincial capital of Haikou is taking various precautions, including electronic inspections in affected waters, drainage team inspections, and emergency plans for vegetable reserves. The power department has stationed repair vehicles in key areas [1].

In Hong Kong, Typhoon Wipha skirted along the coast, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. The highest tropical cyclone warning, T10, was in effect for around seven hours but was later downgraded to T8. The typhoon caused fallen trees, collapsed scaffolding, and flooding, with more than 250 people seeking refuge at government-run shelters. Around 500 flights were cancelled, and Sunday's classes at all day schools and daycare centers were suspended [2].

The typhoon has also brought heavy rains and flooding to the Philippines, where two people are reported missing. The typhoon's impact on the financial sector and local economies is expected to be minimal, with the focus remaining on ensuring public safety and minimizing disruption.

References:
[1] https://www.chinadailyasia.com/article/616283
[2] https://www.wyomingnewsnow.tv/news/national/hong-kong-hit-by-strong-winds-heavy-rain-as-typhoon-wipha-skirts-past/article_69d020f3-2e50-540f-aef2-60cd32996dc1.html