Hong Kong: China is preparing for more heavy rain as Typhoon Narra has moved inland and Typhoon Saudel is approaching the country’s eastern coast.
Narra made landfall as a tropical storm on August 25 in Hainan after lingering over the Beibu Gulf for several days. The storm has brought heavy rain to Guangxi, Hainan and Guangdong.
Authorities in Guangxi and Hainan closed businesses and suspended some tourism operations. Tens of thousands of residents have also been evacuated from areas facing severe weather.
The China Meteorological Administration stated that Narra and Saudel are part of a rare group of 4 tropical cyclones active at the same time across the Northwest Pacific and South China Sea. The system also includes Gaenari and Atsani.
Heavy rain is expected to continue across southern China. Recent downpours already pushed some rivers in Guangxi above warning levels. Low-lying areas have also been inundated as authorities prepare for further rainfall.
Saudel is forecast to make landfall between Zhejiang and Fujian provinces between August 27 and 28. Weather models indicate that the storm’s outer rain bands could stretch towards Guangxi. The system also affected areas beyond China as it moved west.
Saudel swept across Japan’s Okinawa prefecture on August 26. Weather agencies issued warnings over destructive winds and high seas. The storm then brought the Amami island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture into its storm-force wind radius.
Nearly 35,000 homes were left without power in the affected areas, according to Kyushu Electric. A total of 92 flights serving airports across Okinawa were cancelled on August 26. All Nippon Airways also suspended flights to and from Naha Airport, Okinawa’s main gateway.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration remarked that Saudel is tracking north of the island. The storm is expected to gradually weaken and reduce in size. Moderate rainfall is forecast across parts of northern and southern Taiwan through August 28.
The continuing activity of multiple tropical cyclones kept large parts of the region on alert as heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding risks persist. Authorities continue to monitor the rain and prepare for further weather-related disruptions.
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