China Activates Level-4 Flood Response as Twin Cyclones Threaten Southern Coast
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
China's Water Resources Ministry has activated a level-4 flood defense emergency response for Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan as two tropical cyclones pose simultaneous threats to the southern coastline. Tropical Storm Zitan is forecast to intensify over the Beibu Gulf with winds reaching force 10, while a separate tropical depression in the East China Sea is expected to make landfall between Zhejiang's Dongtou and Zhoushan. The Central Meteorological Observatory has issued a blue alert for both systems, warning of torrential rainfall reaching 250-280mm along Guangxi's southwestern and southern coastal regions .
Key Points
- Tropical Storm Zitan, the 19th typhoon this year, formed from a tropical depression in the Beibu Gulf on Saturday (October 22), with its center located approximately 30km south-southeast of Dongxing City, Guangxi
- Zitan currently has maximum sustained winds of force 8 and is expected to intensify to force 10 while circling over the Beibu Gulf through Sunday, before weakening and approaching western Leizhou Peninsula to southern Guangxi coast by Monday
- Typhoon Saudel, the 18th typhoon this year, has maximum winds of force 13 and is located about 550km northeast of Hagåña, Guam, moving northwest at 10-15km/h with gradual strengthening
- The tropical depression over the East China Sea is forecast to make landfall between Dongtou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang from Saturday night to Sunday morning, with coastal winds reaching force 6-7
- Rivers in parts of Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan are expected to experience rising water levels over the next two days, with some potentially exceeding warning thresholds
Why It Matters
The simultaneous approach of two tropical systems, combined with the ongoing monsoon season, creates compound flood risks for already vulnerable coastal regions. Local water authorities have been instructed to closely monitor the typhoon impacts and take all necessary measures to prevent casualties as the storm season reaches its peak .
The simultaneous approach of two tropical systems, combined with the ongoing monsoon season, creates compound flood risks for already vulnerable coastal regions. Local water authorities have been instructed to closely monitor the typhoon impacts and take all necessary measures to prevent casualties as the storm season reaches its peak .