Typhoon Delfin impacted the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, resulting in injuries to six individuals and causing power outages affecting over 50,000 properties. In Okinawa, five elderly people were injured, with three sustaining falls due to strong winds, while an additional injury was reported in Kagoshima Prefecture. Authorities indicated the injuries were not life-threatening.
Power outages were reported in approximately 39,000 properties in Kagoshima and over 12,000 in Okinawa. Major Japanese carriers, ANA and Japan Airlines, canceled flights to and from Okinawa. The typhoon brought winds up to 162 km/h, with gusts reaching 216 km/h, making Okinawa and Amami Island the areas anticipated to face the greatest impact within Japan.
Meanwhile, in China, preparations are underway as the typhoon is forecast to make landfall along its east coast between Sunday evening and Monday morning. Authorities have issued an orange alert, the second-highest level, and elevated the emergency response due to risks of flooding and landslides. The China National Meteorological Center predicts the storm will strike between Zhoushan city in Zhejiang province and Fuding city in Fujian province, with winds near the center potentially reaching 38 to 45 meters per second.
Heavy rain and strong winds are anticipated across eastern China, including Shanghai, until August 12, with some areas in Zhejiang expecting over 600 millimeters of rain. Zhejiang province has implemented the highest level of coastal typhoon warnings, suspending port operations and canceling 162 ferry services, while Fujian has also suspended select ferry services. Ningbo Lishe International Airport in Zhejiang suspended operations, and Yangshan Port in Shanghai emptied its vessels.
Several railway lines in the Yangtze River Delta are also expected to suspend services. Taiwan has also been affected by the typhoon, leading to the cancellation of 78 international flights, and authorities anticipate heavy rain over the weekend. In response, China has mandated guidelines for maritime traffic through the Taiwan Strait, a measure opposed by Taipei.
Topics: #typhoon #winds #china
