Strong winds in the Mangrove Nature Reserve in Futian District, Shenzhen, yesterday.Wang Lanjun
Han Ximin
THE city’s flood control and prevention authorities initiated a contingency plan yesterday for Typhoon Koppu, which was expected to land in coastal area between Taishan and Yangjiang in Guangdong Province early this morning.
Severe Tropical Storm Koppu intensified into a typhoon by 6 p.m. yesterday, when it was centered about 160 km away from Shenzhen. It was forecast to move west-northwest at about 16 km per hour towards the coast of western Guangdong.
Shenzhen’s meteorological observatory hoisted the yellow typhoon signal at 4 p.m. yesterday as Koppu approached Guangdong amid deteriorating weather conditions. A yellow alert means that schools should cancel classes.
Koppu brought downpours to southern Guangdong, southeastern Guangxi and northern Hainan.
The observatory said strong winds of Force 9 were affecting offshore waters yesterday afternoon. The city’s eastern areas had reported 20 to 40 millimeters of rainfall.
Koppu was expected to bring 80 to 120 millimeters of rain by today, the observatory said.
Residents can call about weather information at 12121.
Departure and arrival flights were normal most of yesterday, though there were some delays, according to the service center at the Shenzhen airport.
Some flights such as MU711 from Shanghai to Hong Kong, KA721 from Changsha to Hong Kong and NX837 from Osaka to Macao were forced to land in Shenzhen and nearly 700 passengers were stranded. Some flights from Southeast Asian countries to Shenzhen were delayed for around one hour yesterday, sources from the airport said.