Shanghai has taken drastic measures to ensure public safety as Typhoon Co-May approaches, evacuating over 282,800 people from vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas. The city’s authorities have issued an orange rainstorm alert, the second-highest warning level, and taken steps to minimize disruptions. The typhoon made landfall in eastern Zhejiang Province, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall, with maximum sustained winds reaching 83 km/h near its center.
The city’s two international airports, Pudong and Hongqiao, have been severely affected, with over 640 flights expected to be canceled. Ferry services have been suspended, and speed limits have been imposed on roads and railways to reduce the risk of accidents. Drivers have been advised to maintain speeds below 60 km/h, and several train services have been either suspended or running at reduced speeds.
The typhoon’s impact is not limited to Shanghai, with heavy rain in northern China causing widespread flooding and resulting in over 30 deaths. The National Meteorological Center has noted that typhoon activity can influence atmospheric circulation, altering the northward transport of moisture and exacerbating the flooding situation.
In addition to the typhoon, a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami alerts, which were later lifted. The tsunami was expected to have a “disastrous impact” on some parts of China’s coast, including Shanghai and Zhoushan, but the warnings were eventually canceled.¹Gaza famine warning as Israel resists ceasefire calls.
The city’s authorities have set up over 1,900 temporary shelters to accommodate those displaced by the storm. While some parks and the zoo have closed, popular theme parks like Disneyland and Legoland have remained open, albeit with some suspended rides and performances due to weather conditions.
