Typhoon Talim made landfall in China on Monday evening, marking the first typhoon to hit the country this year. In response, authorities issued flood warnings, canceled flights and trains, and urged people to stay at home. Talim, the fourth typhoon of the year, landed in Zhanjiang city, Guangdong province, with winds near its center reaching speeds of up to 136.8 kph (85 mph), according to the Guangdong weather bureau.
Stronger winds exceeding 150 kph would classify Talim as a severe typhoon, which is unusual for this early stage of the rainy season. The typhoon is expected to move northwest at a speed of 20 km per hour, reaching the Guangxi region on July 18. The national forecaster has advised authorities in Guangdong and Hainan to be prepared for the typhoon’s impact.
As a precautionary measure, markets in Hong Kong suspended trading for the day, and all court hearings were adjourned due to the storm signal issued by the city’s observatory for Typhoon Talim. China’s meteorological center has predicted gale force winds in the seas near southern provinces, along with heavy rainfall ranging from 250-280 mm (9.8-11 inches) on the southwestern coast of Guangxi and northern Hainan Island.
Parts of Guangxi have been alerted to the possibility of flash floods through Tuesday. State media reported that “violent” waves reaching heights of 6 to 9 meters (20 to 30 feet) are expected in northern parts of the South China Sea during this period. Hainan’s Marine Forecasting Station also warned of waves up to 6 meters south of the tourist island.
Flight operations were significantly impacted, with Zhuhai Jinwan Airport in Guangdong canceling numerous flights, and Meilan International Airport in Haikou, Hainan, along with Qionghai Boao Airport on the resort island, canceling all flights. High-speed railway and suburban trains in Hainan were suspended, and routes connecting to the island were closed until Friday.
In response to the typhoon, Haikou city in Hainan has suspended classes, work, flights, and various activities, requiring residents to stay home. Emergency shelters have been opened for public use. In Fujian province, north of Guangdong, local authorities have declared a rainstorm emergency, with heavy rains and thunderstorms expected to persist in most counties and cities since the weekend.
The Chinese meteorological center reported intense rainfall of 200-300 mm (7.87-11.81 inches) within three hours early on Monday in several cities in southeastern Fujian and eastern Jiangsu provinces. Videos on social media showed passengers on a public bus in Jiangsu wading through knee-high water on a water-logged road even before Typhoon Talim’s arrival.
