Life is returning to normal in Shanghai and across east China's Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces after the powerful Typhoon Bebinca swept through on Monday, while the storm has continued to weaken as it moves inland.
Bebinca, the 13th typhoon of this year, made landfall in Shanghai at about 07:30 local time Monday, according to the Shanghai central meteorological observatory. After landing, Bebinca has continued its path in a northwesterly direction, though its intensity has gradually reduced.
By mid-Monday afternoon, the typhoon had been downgraded to a strong tropical storm as it moved over Jiangsu's Wuxi City. It reached the neighboring Anhui Province early on Tuesday and is expected to arrive in central China's Henan by Tuesday evening.
Shanghai authorities had gone all out to mitigate the damage and losses caused by Typhoon Bebinca and worked to ensure the safety of all residents as well as minimize disruption.
On Monday afternoon, traffic order was gradually restored with the resumption of flights at the city's Pudong and Hongqiao airports, while highways were reopened and subway and ferry line services resumed.
Despite some rainfall in the city on Monday afternoon, many Shanghai locals ventured outdoors, while business districts welcomed more visitors later in the day as the storm subsided. With the resumption of delivery services, takeaway platforms also were inundated with orders as more residents looked to get in festive supplies ahead of Tuesday's Mid-Autumn Festival.
Shanghai authorities later lifted the typhoon blue warning signal at around 18:00 Monday.
However, highways in some areas of Jiangsu's Suzhou and Nantong cities were temporarily closed or adopted control measures as Bebinca approached. Some drivers parked their vehicles up at the nearest service areas as they sheltered from the storm and waited for the worst of the weather to pass.
In the Guangling Service Area in Yangzhou City, staff members closely monitored the traffic and installed emergency charging piles to meet the demand of new energy vehicles.
By 20:00 Monday, all highway control measures in Jiangsu Province had been lifted.
Meanwhile, in Anhui Province, several train services were temporarily suspended while local authorities stepped up the patrolling and monitoring work of key areas deemed to be high-risk for potential geological hazards or prone to flooding.
China's National Meteorological Center forecast heavy to torrential rain would sweep across northern Zhejiang, Shanghai, Anhui, southern Jiangsu, and Henan from Tuesday to Wednesday, with strong gales expected in coastal areas on Tuesday as the impact of Bebinca lingers.
Life returning to normal as Typhoon Bebinca weakens while moving inland
