SHANGHAI: Typhoon Bebinca made landfall in Shanghai on Monday (Sep 16) morning as a Category 1 storm, the most powerful tropical cyclone to directly hit the Chinese financial hub in more than seven decades.
Packing top wind speeds of 151kmh near its eye, Bebinca landed in the city of nearly 25 million around 7.30am local time, state media reported, the strongest storm to strike Shanghai since Typhoon Gloria in 1949.
Shanghai is rarely subject to direct hits from strong typhoons that generally make landfall further south in China. Yagi, a destructive Category 4 storm, roared past southern Hainan province last week.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled from the city’s two airports since Sunday night, with state broadcaster CCTV reporting that all flights at Shanghai’s two main airports would be cancelled from 8pm on Sunday because of the storm.
In an advisory posted on its website, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said four flights to and from Shanghai Pudong Airport on Sunday and Monday have been cancelled due to weather conditions caused by the storm.
SIA added that as the situation remains fluid, other flights between Singapore and China may be affected due to the storm.
In response to CNA’s queries on Sunday, Changi Airport Group said that 11 flights to Shanghai between Sunday and Monday are affected.
Shanghai railway station has also suspended some rail services. These disruptions come as China celebrates the three-day mid-Autumn Festival public holiday.
Resorts in Shanghai, including Shanghai Disney Resort, Jinjiang Amusement Park and Shanghai Wild Animal Park, have been temporarily closed and many ferries halted.
