It could be among most destructive typhoons on record in terms of wind and rain damage, adding pressure to disaster prevention efforts.
Mainland China is on high alert as Super Typhoon Gaemi approaches its eastern coast, with the storm expected to make landfall on Thursday after slamming Taiwan and bringing devastating rain to the Philippines.
The National Meteorological Centre issued this year’s first red alert, the most severe typhoon alert, as Gaemi was upgraded to a super typhoon on Wednesday.
Packing winds of 151.2km/h (94mph) near its centre, Super Typhoon Gaemi will be the third typhoon to hit China in a year when the country has already faced severe floods and extreme rain.
The eastern coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang have prepared for the approaching typhoon by suspending air travel, ships and trains and closing outdoor scenic spots.
The Fujian Meteorological Bureau activated a Level 1 emergency response – the most serious category – for typhoons and rainstorms on Thursday.
It is expected to be the second-strongest typhoon on record in terms of potential wind and rain damage, adding pressure to the disaster prevention efforts, according to Gao Shan, Fujian’s chief meteorologist.
