Shanghai evacuates 280,000 residents as tropical storm nears

[SHANGHAI] Shanghai has evacuated around 280,000 people and cancelled flights as a tropical storm nears China’s financial hub, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall that threatens flash flooding.

Storm Co-may – known locally as Zhu Jie Cao – is expected to make landfall to the south of the city later on Wednesday, according to the national weather bureau. The system could dump as much as 320 millimetres of rain on Shanghai and other areas over 24 hours to 8 am on Jul 31.

The tropical storm has led to widespread transport disruptions in Shanghai, with local media reporting a suspension to ferry services and a reduction in speed limits on highways. The city’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports expect to cancel nearly 30 per cent of all inbound and outbound flights on Wednesday due to the approaching system, according to a statement from operator.

Shanghai activated an emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention, and by mid-morning, thousands of people were relocated from areas with high risk of impact, according to state media. The housing and urban development authorities also ordered a full work suspension at most construction sites.

Yangshan Port, the world’s largest container port, suspended operations from Tuesday, state-run The Paper reported. Zhoushan, home to some of China’s largest oil storage tanks and refineries, activated its emergency response and urged staff to take safety precautions, according to a notice from the maritime safety administration posted on its social media account on Tuesday night.

Co-may first struck the Philippines last week, before tracking north and hitting Japan’s Okinawa Island and then looping towards China. BLOOMBERG