Shanghai Faces Severe Impact from Typhoon Bebinca, City's Worst Storm in 75 Years

Shanghai is reeling from Typhoon Bebinca, the most powerful storm to strike the city in 75 years. The typhoon made landfall near Lingang New City in eastern Shanghai at about 7:30 a.m. local time (23:30 GMT) on Monday, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

The storm has caused widespread devastation, prompting large-scale evacuations. Thousands of residents have been moved to safety, and flights at both of Shanghai’s major airports have been suspended. The city’s flood control authorities have issued a red alert—the highest possible—due to Bebinca’s intense winds, which have reached up to 151 km/h (94 mph).

Shanghai, which is not accustomed to such severe typhoons, is experiencing major disruptions. Train services are halted, highways are closed, and a 40 km/h (25 mph) speed limit has been imposed on city roads. With around 25 million residents advised to stay indoors, the city is under significant strain.

As of Sunday evening, over 400,000 people had been evacuated, including 9,000 from the Chongming District, an island near the Yangtze River mouth. The city has reported substantial damage, including fallen trees and displaced billboards.

Major tourist attractions, including Shanghai Disney Resort, Jinjiang Amusement Park, and Shanghai Wild Animal Park, are temporarily closed, and many ferry services have been suspended.

This latest storm follows the recent impact of Typhoon Yagi, which resulted in fatalities and injuries in Hainan island and severe flooding in Southeast Asia. Typhoon Bebinca has also affected Japan and the Philippines, where it caused fatalities from falling trees.

Forecasts indicate that Typhoon Bebinca will continue its northwest path, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces.