Tens of thousands of individuals are currently being evacuated in southern China and Vietnam as a typhoon approaches the region. Furthermore, numerous flights have been canceled in anticipation of this natural disaster.
The China Meteorological Administration has predicted that typhoon Talim will make landfall on Monday evening, resulting in strong winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall along the southern coastline spanning from Guangdong to Hainan provinces. An orange alert, the second-highest level in the four-tier color-coded system, has been issued to inform the public of the anticipated intensification of the storm, which may transform into a severe typhoon.
In Vietnam, authorities are making preparations to evacuate approximately 30,000 individuals from the areas projected to be most severely affected in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong provinces, beginning Monday afternoon. According to Vietnam’s top disaster response committee, this storm could potentially be one of the largest to hit the Gulf of Tonkin in recent years.
Tourists have been advised to leave outlying islands, and airlines have adjusted their schedules to avoid the storm’s path. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed disaster response teams to be ready for immediate rescue and relief efforts, emphasizing the risk of potential flooding.
Grounded Flights
Approximately 1,000 individuals have already been evacuated from Yunfu city in Guangdong province, according to the state-backed Southern Daily. As of 2:00 pm (0600 GMT), Typhoon Talim was situated 280 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong, leading to the cancellation of trading on the city’s US$5.2 trillion stock market and a halt in Hong Kong’s activities.
The Hong Kong Observatory has raised concerns about possible flooding in low-lying areas, prompting the suspension of ferry services and most bus operations. Furthermore, over 1,000 travelers have been impacted by flight cancellations and delays, as reported by the Hong Kong Airport Authority.
In Hainan island, authorities have urged ships in nearby waters to return to port after receiving warnings from the local marine forecasting station about waves reaching up to six meters (20 feet) in height, as stated by the state news agency Xinhua. In response, ferry services between Hainan and neighboring Guangdong province were suspended early on Sunday. Meilan International Airport and Qionghai Boao Airport, both located on Hainan island, have cancelled all flights, according to state media. Zhuhai Jinwan Airport in Guangdong, which is near Macau, has also cancelled more than 80 flights, according to local reports.
Scientists have cautioned that typhoons are becoming more severe as a result of climate change and global warming.
© 2023 AFP
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Thousands evacuated as typhoon nears southern China, Vietnam (2023, July 17)
retrieved 17 July 2023
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