Recent reports from China's eastern Jiangsu province indicate that Typhoon Bebinca has resulted in two fatalities due to its torrential rains and powerful winds. The incident occurred in Zhoushi Town, located approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Shanghai. Two individuals lost their lives after being struck by a falling high-voltage power line and subsequently electrocuted on Monday.
While these are the only known casualties attributed to Typhoon Bebinca thus far, the storm has left a trail of destruction in its wake. The megacity of Shanghai and neighboring provinces experienced flooding, road blockages caused by water and debris, as well as power outages affecting some residences. Additionally, one person on Shanghai's Chongming Island sustained injuries from a falling tree.
Authorities took proactive measures to ensure public safety, evacuating over 414,000 individuals in anticipation of the severe weather conditions. Schools were closed, and residents were advised to remain indoors during the storm. Transportation services, including flights, ferries, and trains, were temporarily suspended to mitigate potential risks.
Despite being described as the most potent typhoon to hit Shanghai since 1949, Bebinca gradually weakened as it moved inland. By early Tuesday morning, the storm had been downgraded to a tropical storm. The National Meteorological Center issued warnings for heavy rainfall in several provinces, including Anhui, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, and Jiangsu, with anticipated accumulations of up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) through Wednesday afternoon.
In Shanghai, cleanup efforts swiftly commenced, with roads being cleared and traffic returning to normal by Monday evening. Authorities successfully restored the power supply to all affected areas by midnight on Tuesday, signaling the gradual recovery from the storm's impact.
