Tens of Thousands Evacuated Ahead of Typhoon Talim’s Furious Strike
Tens of thousands of people are scrambling to safety as Typhoon Talim barrels towards southern China and Vietnam. The fierce storm is expected to slam into the southern coastlines from Guangdong to Hainan provinces by Monday night, unleashing savage winds, flooding storm surges, and torrential rains.
The China Meteorological Administration has slammed out an orange alert – just one step from the highest warning – as Talim threatens to roar into a severe typhoon.
Vietnam Braces for Impact with Mass Evacuations
Vietnam is pulling no punches. Around 30,000 residents in the most vulnerable areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong provinces are being evacuated. The country’s top disaster committee warns this could be one of the biggest storms to lash the Gulf of Tonkin in years.
- Tourists are urged to abandon outlying islands immediately.
- Airlines have already rescheduled flights in a bid to dodge the storm’s wrath.
Hong Kong’s Financial Hub Shuts Down as Storm Hits
Hong Kong is already feeling the typhoon’s bite. The city’s $5.2 trillion stock market has ground to a halt as trading was cancelled. The Hong Kong Observatory warns of severe flooding in low-lying districts due to monster storm surges.
Ferries have stopped running, and most bus services are suspended. Flights have been hit hard too, with over 1,000 passengers facing cancellations or delays, says the Hong Kong Airport Authority.
Southern China on High Alert Amid Soaring Seas and Grounded Flights
Off Hainan Island, waves up to six metres (20 feet) are whipping up as ships are ordered to return to port. Ferry rides between Hainan and Guangdong provinces were canceled early Sunday. Flights at Meilan International and Qionghai Boao airports are grounded, while Zhuhai Jinwan Airport near Macau has axed over 80 flights.
Rising Storm Power Tied to Climate Change, Warn Scientists
Experts warn Typhoon Talim’s growing ferocity is no coincidence. Scientists link the rising intensity of typhoons to global warming and climate change, warning such storms will only become stronger and more frequent as the planet heats up.
