The provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang in east China have geared up for the impacts of typhoon Kong-rey and its possible landfall by activating emergency response plans and suspending maritime traffic and project construction.
Typhoon Kong-rey, the 21st typhoon this year, made landfall on Taiwan's Taitung coast around 14:00 Thursday, before moving across the island and gradually shifting northeast toward the coasts of Fujian and Zhejiang where its intensity is expected to decrease.
It may make landfall or skirt the coast of these provinces.
In anticipation of severe weather, the Fujian Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters elevated its typhoon emergency response to level-2 and activated a level-4 emergency response for heavy rainfall.
From Thursday to Friday, the coastal areas in Fujian are expected to experience strong winds, while northern and central coastal regions could embrace heavy to torrential rain.
As of 13:00 Wednesday, Fujian's coastal areas had reported winds reaching up to Force 10, with visible impacts such as swaying trees and fishing boats rocking in the harbors.
Emergency measures have been implemented starting Wednesday, including the return of fishing vessels to port and the evacuation of crew members.
By 10:00 Thursday, 71 ferry routes and 190 passenger ferries along Fujian's coast had been suspended.
All 115 maritime construction projects in the area have also been halted, with 228 construction vessels returning to safe waters.
Meanwhile, in Zhejiang, the Taizhou maritime bureau activated a level-3 emergency response on Wednesday to ensure maritime traffic safety.
By Thursday morning, all 19 ferry routes in Taizhou had been suspended, along with the cessation of work on 27 ongoing coastal construction projects.
Over 530 vessels have sought shelter in ports, with emergency response teams coordinating the deployment of 22 rescue ships based on the typhoon's trajectory.
Fujian, Zhejiang grapple with impacts of typhoon Kong-rey
