Shanghai Prepares for Direct Hit from Typhoon Bebinca

By Samuel Shen and Ryan Woo

SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) – Shanghai has taken extensive precautions in anticipation of Typhoon Bebinca, which could be the most powerful tropical cyclone to strike the city since 1949. Transportation services have been suspended, ships have been recalled, and popular tourist attractions, including Shanghai Disney Resort, have been closed.

As of 5:00 p.m. local time, the Category 1 typhoon was located approximately 400 kilometers southeast of Shanghai, with maximum sustained wind speeds reaching around 144 kph (89 mph). It is forecasted to make landfall along China’s eastern coast after midnight on Monday.

The China Meteorological Administration issued a red alert for the typhoon on Sunday afternoon, warning residents of strong winds and heavy rainfall conditions across eastern China.

The last significant storm to impact Shanghai was Typhoon Gloria in 1949, which hit the city with gusts reaching 144 kph. Although Shanghai faced potential threats from powerful storms like Typhoon Muifa in 2022, which bypassed the city by landing 300 kilometers away in Zhoushan, the current situation has prompted local authorities to exercise caution.

In preparation for the impending storm, all flights at Shanghai’s two airports were canceled starting at 8 p.m. local time on Sunday. The airport operator indicated that further updates would be provided based on the typhoon’s effects.

Additionally, Shanghai railway services have been curtailed for passenger safety, and train services to and from Shanghai have been suspended in Shenzhen.

Tourist venues within the city, such as Shanghai Disney Resort, Jinjiang Amusement Park, and the Shanghai Wild Animal Park, are temporarily closed, and ferry operations to Chongming Island have been halted.

In the neighboring Zhejiang province, ships have also been recalled, and several parks in Hangzhou have announced closures.

Typhoon Bebinca’s arrival is particularly notable as it coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a three-day holiday during which many people in China travel or engage in outdoor activities.

In a precautionary measure against potential flooding, China’s Ministry of Water Resources issued a Level-IV emergency response on Saturday for the city of Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui.