China's southern coastal regions are preparing for Typhoon Talim, the fourth typhoon of this year, which is expected to bring gales and torrential rain.
China's national observatory on Monday renewed an orange alert for Typhoon Talim. China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system for typhoons, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 8 Southeast Gale or Storm Signal on Monday morning, which will remain in effect until 4 p.m. under the effect of Typhoon Talim. The No. 8 signal is the third-highest warning under Hong Kong's weather system.
A man looks at the waves on a promenade during a typhoon in Hong Kong, China, July 17, 2023. /CFP
What impact will Typhoon Talim have?
From Monday morning to Tuesday morning, heavy downpours are forecast to lash parts of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and Fujian, while gales are expected in coastal areas of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan, and most of the South China Sea, according to China's meteorological center.
According to Haikou's flood, wind and drought control headquarters in south China's Hainan Province, the city will see heavy rainstorms packing winds of 33 meters per second or even stronger.
How are China's southern regions preparing?
China's meteorological center has issued an advisory to suspend both indoor and outdoor gatherings, as well as dangerous outdoor operations, and recommended the timely transfer of people living in vulnerable housing.
It has also called for emergency typhoon preparations and precautions against possible geological disasters.
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has suspended trading, multiple flights have been canceled at Hong Kong International Airport, several piers have been suspended, and attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland have been temporarily closed.
Ships returned to port at Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, July 16, 2023. /CFP
Hainan Province has suspended high-speed train and flight operations due to the approaching typhoon. Regular trains in and out of the island province will remain suspended till July 21, railway departments said.
The island's Haikou City has implemented a temporary suspension of school activities from noontime on Monday, and people other than those taking part in rescue and disaster relief work and necessary jobs pertaining to the city's urban operations are required to stay indoors.
When and where is Typhoon Talim going to land?
The typhoon, observed over the South China Sea about 375 kilometers southeast of the city of Zhanjiang in southern China's Guangdong Province at 5 a.m. Monday, will move west by north at a speed of around 20 kilometers per hour with increased intensity, the National Meteorological Center said in a statement.
It will make landfall in coastal areas between Guangdong Province and Hainan Province in south China on Monday night, the center said.
At 1 p.m. on Monday, Typhoon Talim was centered about 270 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 18 kilometers per hour in the general direction of Leizhou Peninsula, Guangdong Province.
For more: Southern Chinese provinces prepare for typhoon Talim's landfall
(With input from Xinhua)
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