China: Typhoon Hato hits Guangdong province August 23 /update 1

Event

Typhoon Hato made landfall in Guangdong province on Wednesday, August 23, bringing torrential rain and fierce winds up to 200 km/h (125 mph) across southeast China. Authorities claim it was one of the strongest typhoons to hit the area since 1968. Heavy flooding as well as infrastructural damage were reported throughout Guangdong province as well as on the island of Macau, bringing major cities in the region to a standstill. At least eight people were killed in Macau, four in mainland China, and over 150 more were injured.

As of Thursday, rescue operations are underway to search submerged cars for trapped people. Half the population in Macau is still without water or electricity; water supplies have also been cut in the districts of Xiangzhou, Doumen, and Jinwan in Zhuhai. Public buildings, including museums and schools in Macau, will remain closed on Thursday.

Widespread sea, air, and flight transport disruptions were reported throughout Wednesday. As of Thursday, ferry terminals and roads were crammed with traffic in Macau and flight disruptions continued at Macau (MFM), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX), and Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) international airports.

Further storms are forecast for Macau and Guangdong in the coming hours, which could aggravate the situation. 

Context

Hato formed as a tropical storm on August 20 near the eastern Philippines. Tropical storms and typhoons are common in the region between July and November, with a peak of storms typically observed in the last weeks of August and the first weeks of September.

Advice

Individuals in Macau and Guangdong province are advised to confirm travel reservations, to keep abreast of weather forecasts, and to follow any instructions issued by local authorities. Regarding flooding, remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock an adult over.