Typhoon Bebinca Targets China, Cancels Flights Amid Mid-Autumn Festivities

Chinese authorities are on high alert as Typhoon Bebinca approaches the country’s eastern seaboard, with landfall expected between Sunday night and Monday morning, affecting the megacity of Shanghai and surrounding areas. The storm is anticipated to bring heavy to torrential rains, with severe downpours forecasted from Sunday through Tuesday.

The Beijing emergency management ministry issued a warning of “local heavy or extremely heavy rainstorms” and has called for heightened flood and typhoon control measures. A level-four emergency response, the lowest tier in China’s flood alert system, has been activated for Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui.

The arrival of Bebinca coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a peak travel period in China. Officials are emphasizing the need for vigilance due to increased mobility and potential safety risks. In preparation, some flights from Shanghai’s major airports have been canceled or rescheduled, and passenger shipping services in the city have been suspended.

Earlier this month, Typhoon Yagi struck China’s Hainan island, causing fatalities and injuries, highlighting the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events linked to climate change. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that Bebinca previously battered Japan’s Amami island, causing dangerous conditions and heightened landslide risks.

As the storm progresses, Chinese authorities continue to monitor its development closely, urging residents to take precautions and remain informed about safety measures.