Shanghai, China, was brought to a standstill on Monday as Typhoon Bebinca made landfall, marking the strongest typhoon to directly hit the city in more than seven decades. With top wind speeds reaching 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph), the equivalent of a Category 1 Atlantic hurricane, the storm caused widespread disruptions during a national holiday.
The China Meteorological Administration issued a red typhoon warning, the most severe alert, cautioning residents about gale force winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal floods in eastern China. The powerful storm led to the suspension of flights, trains, and highways, affecting travel plans for many during the Mid-Autumn festival.
Shanghai's two international airports canceled all flights, ferry services were suspended, and various transportation services were halted. Popular tourist destinations, including Shanghai Disney Resort, were closed as a precautionary measure. More than 414,000 people in Shanghai were evacuated to makeshift shelters, while neighboring provinces also implemented safety measures.
As the typhoon weakened into a tropical storm and moved inland, reports of power and water outages surfaced in Shanghai. The storm's impact was felt across the region, with over 1,600 flights canceled by Monday afternoon. This marks the second major storm to hit China this month, following Super Typhoon Yagi, which caused fatalities in Hainan province.
Scientists attribute the intensification of storms to hotter oceans resulting from the human-caused climate crisis. While Shanghai is not typically in the direct path of strong typhoons, Bebinca's impact serves as a reminder of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
Despite the challenges posed by Typhoon Bebinca, authorities and residents in Shanghai and surrounding areas remain vigilant and prepared to address the aftermath of the storm, emphasizing the importance of disaster readiness in the face of climate-related threats.
