Shanghai is taking extensive precautions as Typhoon Bebinca approaches, potentially the strongest storm to hit the city since 1949. In anticipation of the storm, hundreds of flights have been cancelled, major tourist attractions are temporarily closed and transportation services have been suspended.
All flights at Shanghai’s two airports will be grounded from 8 pm. local time on Sunday, with further adjustments depending on the storm’s impact, according to Shanghai Airport (Group) Co. The city’s railway services have also been partially suspended and trains between Shanghai and Shenzhen have been halted for safety reasons.
As of Sunday, Bebinca, a Category 1 typhoon with sustained winds of up to 144 km/h, was positioned about 500 kilometres southeast of Shanghai. The storm is expected to make landfall along China’s eastern coast after midnight on Monday. Shanghai last faced a storm of this magnitude in 1949, when Typhoon Gloria struck with similar intensity.
Authorities have already taken steps to mitigate potential damage, recalling ships to port and shutting down over 600 flights. Popular tourist sites, including the Shanghai Disney Resort, Jinjiang Amusement Park, and Shanghai Wild Animal Park, are closed. Ferry services to Chongming Island have also been suspended. Zhejiang province is also bracing for the storm, with ships recalled and several parks in Hangzhou closed.
The arrival of Bebinca coincides with China’s Mid-Autumn Festival, leading to widespread travel disruptions. China’s Ministry of Water Resources has issued a Level-IV emergency response for potential flooding across Shanghai and the neighbouring provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui.