Typhoon Saola weakens as it passes through southern China

He typhoon saola advances this Saturday through the south of China after cyclone winds left multiple damage and downed trees in Hong Kongwhich avoided the direct hit of one of the most powerful storms in several decades in the region.

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Tens of millions of people in the river delta region of the pearlsa highly populated area where there are several huge cities, closed in on Friday before the arrival of the cyclone, then classified as super typhoon.

Chinese authorities evacuated more than 880,000 peopleordered the return to port of 80,000 fishing boats and postponed the start of the school year in 13 cities.

In Hong Kongthe authorities issued the maximum alert level for typhoons for several hours, which has been activated only 16 times since the Second World War, and some areas registered gusts of up to 210 km/h.

People walk among fallen trees after Typhoon Saola in Tseung Kwan O in Hong Kong on September 2, 2023. (Photo by Alastair Pike / AFP) (ALASTAIR PIKE /)

In the early hours of Saturday, the storm was downgraded to a severe typhoon. No casualties were reported and less damage was recorded than in 2018, when the powerful mangkhut cyclone hit the south China.

Even so, the authorities requested keep watchsince the winds can reach 145 km/h and they recommended avoiding the coastal areas.

in the streets of Hong KongAFP journalists saw numerous fallen trees, scattered scaffolding and broken windows. Local media reported that the winds ripped solar panels off the roofs of the buildings.

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“A bit of fear”

“Yesterday was a little scaryAngelie said on Saturday morning, as she left to see a friend despite the heavy and persistent rain. “In our development, there were many fallen trees and some broken windows.”, he explained.

in the east of Hong Konga resident said that during the night she felt that the building in which she lives “it wavered a bit”.

“In the end we don’t feel so threatened”, compared to 2018, when it hit the typhoon mangkhut that left more than 300 people injured in this city and six dead in mainland china.

Tommy Wanga merchant, remembers hearing the violent wind whistle while he slept in his small shop in the commercial district of Causeway Bay.

A woman films a beach covered in tree branches after Typhoon Saola in a Hong Kong coastal village on September 2, 2023. (Photo by DALE DE LA REY / AFP) (DALE DE LA REY/)

“I did not leave the store because the transport did not work. I had no choice”, he assured.

The airport authority Hong Kong it said on Saturday that it would gradually resume flights after mass cancellations and delays the day before.

The neighboring city of macauknown for its casinos, announced the reopening of its many betting centers that unusually closed as a precaution due to the arrival of saola.

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Another typhoon moves towards Taiwan

The typhoon did not directly hit this former Portuguese colony either, but made landfall just to the south in the early morning, in the city of Zhuhaifrom the province of CantonHe said China National Meteorological Center.

During the afternoon, the cyclone moved west towards the tourist area of Hailingin the province of guangdongwith winds of 100 km/h.

Authorities initially warned that saola could become the “most powerful” typhoon recorded since 1949 in the Las Vegas river delta pearls.

A man walks past the rubble of the protection panels of a furniture store washed away by super typhoon Saola in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong on September 2, 2023. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) (MLADEN ANTONOV /)

However, there are still risks of severe flooding in the delta of the Rio de las pearlsa cyclone-prone lowland area that includes Hong Kong, Macau and the city of guangzhou.

In Shenzhena megacity in the province of Guandongwhich is a neighbor of Hong Kongthe authorities decreed the closure of offices, stores, financial markets and opened shelters for its nearly 17.7 million inhabitants.

After the closure of public transport, dozens of delivery men defied the strong winds and rain.

“YouI’ll work until I feel like it’s Too dangerous”, assured chai Jijie, 22 years old.

south of China It is regularly struck during the boreal summer and fall by typhoons formed in the warm ocean waters east of Philippines.

A woman takes pictures of trees uprooted by Super Typhoon Saola in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong on September 2, 2023. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) (MLADEN ANTONOV /)

In fact, at the gates of the sea of south chinaother typhoon, haikuifast forward to taiwanwhere the authorities issued alerts, although a moderate impact is expected.

He climate change has increased the intensity of Tropical stormswith more rain and stronger gusts causing flash flooding and coastal damage, experts say.

Source: Elcomercio