China’s National Meteorological Centre issued its highest typhoon warning as Typhoon Saola began its slow crawl towards the coast of southeastern China. The storm is expected to make landfall between Friday afternoon and night, bringing with it strong winds and heavy rainfall to major manufacturing hubs in Guangdong province.
Saola, which lies approximately 295km south-east of Guangdong province, is moving at a speed of about 10km/h across the South China Sea, gradually approaching the coast of Guangdong before slowly weakening in intensity. Wind speeds were clocked at 209km/h, with the typhoon expected to bring storm surges to coastal low-lying areas.
The Philippines, which Saola passed by earlier this week, experienced torrential rains and fierce winds, leading to widespread flooding and displacement of nearly 50,000 people. The northern part of the islands was hit the hardest, with low-lying villages inundated and over a hundred houses damaged. Seaports suspended inter-island ferry services due to rough seas.
As Saola edges closer to Guangdong, winds over the region are expected to strengthen, with the Hong Kong Observatory raising its strong wind Signal to No 3, the second lowest, later on Thursday. The country has been hit by heavy rain and flooding over the past two months, including a deadly storm at the end of July that left a trail of destruction and triggered the evacuation of over 30,000 people.
Typhoon SaolaChina Railway has suspended several major train lines, and Shanghai has halted trains heading to Guangdong, according to local media. The Hong Kong Observatory is warning of heavy rainfall in parts of Fujian and areas of Guangdong, with downpours potentially reaching 100-220mm in some areas.
Residents are being advised to take precautions, with videos on social media showing waves crashing along the coastline of Fujian province. The meteorological administration of Shishi city has issued a typhoon blue warning, urging people to stay indoors and avoid travelling during the storm.
Typhoon Saola’s slow approach is expected to bring disruptions to daily life, with residents bracing for the impact of the storm. As the storm continues to move north-west across the South China Sea, authorities are working to minimize damage and ensure public safety.