Typhoon Wipha has severely impacted cities throughout the Pearl River Delta and the western coastline of Guangdong Province, resulting in the evacuation of around 670,000 people as it made landfall on Sunday. With winds exceeding 118 kilometers per hour, the typhoon hit Taishan at 5:50 p.m., but subsequently downgraded to a severe tropical storm after making landfall.
Later, Wipha made a second landfall at Yangjiang's Hailing Island, bringing winds of 90 km/h. The severe weather conditions caused significant traffic disruptions in major urban areas such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai, which are critical gateways in southern China, according to local authorities. Airports in Shenzhen and Zhuhai, along with those in Hong Kong, reported extensive flight cancellations and delays starting Saturday afternoon.
To safeguard the critical infrastructure, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link were temporarily closed early on Sunday. The heavy rains also prompted railway services connecting Guangzhou with Shenzhen and Zhuhai to be suspended, along with specific high-speed train routes in the affected regions. The Huangmaohai cross-sea bridge in Jiangmen was also closed for safety reasons.
In Hong Kong, emergency services treated 33 individuals for storm-related injuries by Sunday evening, while 277 people sought refuge in temporary shelters throughout the city. Authorities also reported over 700 incidents involving downed trees. The forecast indicated that Haikou, Hainan’s capital, may face severe waterlogging, as Guangdong prepared for further thunderstorms, strong winds, and tidal surges.
In response to the extreme weather, Hainan upgraded its flood control and typhoon emergency response measures to Level III, mandating that all fishing vessels head to shelter. Wipha, classified as the sixth typhoon of the year, forced the temporary closure of at least 52 coastal attractions, and many cities in Guangdong suspended all production, construction, and academic activities indefinitely.
Residents shared personal accounts of the storm's ferocity, with one individual noting that the winds were powerful enough to sweep pedestrians off their feet. The provincial water conservancy department issued warnings about rising river levels, predicting increases between 2 to 5 meters in some areas, with hydrological stations possibly exceeding safe thresholds.
Officials urged cities impacted by Wipha to implement effective strategies to mitigate potential geological risks, such as landslides and severe flooding, particularly in western Guangdong regions that are at high risk of mountain torrents. The Guangdong Meteorological Service forecasted heavy rain and localized downpours in the major cities surrounding the Pearl River Delta and the western coast for the following days.
5 Comments
Bella Ciao
Such strength from the community; let’s help each other through this storm!
Mariposa
This typhoon shows just how important it is to prepare and have an emergency response plan.
Muchacha
The focus should be on recovery rather than evacuation; what’s the point of leaving your home?
Ongania
I appreciate the timely warnings and updates from the Guangdong Meteorological Service.
Manolo Noriega
It's better to be cautious than to risk lives. Evacuations were necessary!