By Vivian Wang
Typhoon Bebinca, the most powerful storm to strike Shanghai since 1949, made landfall on Monday, effectively paralyzing the financial center.
All flights departing from the city’s two airports post 8 p.m. on Sunday were canceled, major attractions like Disneyland shut their doors, and numerous high-speed train services were temporarily halted.
The storm, which brought down trees and billboards, recorded wind speeds of around 94 mph at its core. Social media footage displayed buildings with cladding torn off and power poles toppled.
Shanghai’s meteorological bureau reported that parts of the city experienced nearly 3 inches of rain within just an hour on Monday morning.
Typhoons seldom directly impact Shanghai, as they typically strike further south. Officials anticipated that the storm would diminish by Monday evening and shift westward.
However, the storm’s arrival during China’s three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday could hinder consumer spending that the nation urgently needs as its economy decelerates. Online, individuals shared experiences of being trapped in their hotels. Parades intended for a tourism festival on Sunday and Monday were canceled.
The nearby city of Suzhou in Jiangsu province announced the suspension of all food delivery services. Nanjing also halted all large-scale events and outdoor construction activities, and instructed vessels not to navigate the Yangtze River.
These interruptions contribute to the wider weather challenges faced by China this year. Various regions have experienced a rapid succession of droughts and floods, and the country recorded its hottest July since at least 1961.
While Bebinca lingered over Shanghai, the city’s meteorological officials cautioned that another typhoon seemed to be developing in the vicinity where Bebinca formed, potentially impacting Shanghai and surrounding regions later in the week.
