Typhoon Wipha made landfall in southern China on Saturday, forcing widespread infrastructure shutdowns and emergency preparations across coastal regions. The National Meteorological Center issued a yellow alert—the third-highest warning level—as the sixth typhoon of 2023 brought torrential rains and winds exceeding 100 km/h to Hainan and Guangdong provinces.
Authorities in Hainan activated a Level IV emergency response early Saturday, while Guangdong escalated its preparedness to Level II by midday. 'All coastal cities are mobilizing resources to ensure public safety and minimize economic disruptions,' stated a spokesperson from China's emergency management bureau.
The storm disrupted ferry services in the Qiongzhou Strait and led to preemptive closures of schools, markets, and tourist sites. Over 20,000 fishing vessels returned to harbor ahead of the typhoon's arrival. Meteorologists warn of potential flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas through Sunday.
This development comes as climate researchers highlight increasing typhoon intensity in the South China Sea, with implications for regional supply chains and disaster preparedness strategies.
