7/10/2013

A huge wave hits the dike as Typhoon Fitow moves to make its landfall in Wenling

Chinese authorities say at least one person has died and 1200 homes have collapsed as Typhoon Fitow slammed into the country’s east coast.

Typhoon Fitow barrelled into China’s east coast early today, packing winds of more than 200 kilometres an hour, state media reported.

One person was reported dead in Wenzhou, a major city in Zhejiang where more than 1,200 homes collapsed, China National Radio (CNR) said in an online report.

The threat of the storm has forced about half a million people from their homes in China’s Zhejiang province and tens of thousands more in the country’s Fujiian province.

Thousands of fishermen were recalled to port and transport services in 35 cities have been affected with the suspension of train services.

Thousands evacuated

Authorities evacuated hundreds of thousands of people and issued China’s highest alert yesterday as Typhoon Fitow approached the mainland.

The National Meteorological Centre issued a red alert for the storm, which was packing winds of up to 151 kilometres an hour as it moved towards the coast.

Winds rose to 201 km per hour in parts of Wenzhou, the official Xinhua news agency reported later, citing local flood control authorities.

Zhejiang has so far evacuated more than 574,000 people, while in Fujian 177,000 have been displaced, Xinhua said.

Two port workers in Wenzhou were missing and may have fallen into the sea, the agency added.

Train suspended

The storm also forced the suspension of bullet train services in several cities in Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi provinces, Xinhua said.

Wenzhou’s airport cancelled 27 flights Sunday, the agency said.

Chinese maritime authorities also issued red alerts, warning of storm tides and waves, with fishermen urged to return to port and local authorities told to prepare harbour facilities and sea walls for high tides.

In Zhejiang more than 35,000 boats returned to harbour while in Fujian nearly 30,000 vessels were called back, according to Xinhua.

Named after a flower from Micronesia, Fitow has hit just two weeks after Typhoon Usagi wreaked havoc in the region, leaving at least 25 reported dead in southern China.

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