China: Super Typhoon Mangkhut to threaten southeastern China September 15

Event

Super Typhoon Mangkhut, the most violent of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season, continues to strengthen as it heads towards southeastern China on Thursday, September 13. Mangkhut is forecast to pass through the Luzon Strait and make landfall in coastal Guangdong province, near the Leizhou peninsula, bringing tropical storm-force winds to China as early as Saturday, September 15. The Hong Kong Observatory predicts the storm will pass within 100 km (62 mi) of the city on Sunday, September 16, but warns that it could shift course. Nearby cities in the Pearl River Delta region (Macau, Guangzhou, Shenzen) will also be affected by the storm, which is predicted to be the most powerful recorded typhoon to hit the area. Mangkhut will bring the most dangerous conditions to Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces, though adjacent areas such as Fujian, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan will likely experience inclement weather as well. Heavy rain and damaging winds are expected, and flooding is likely. Transportation disruptions, including vehicle routes, trains, and flights, are possible. 

As of 11:00 (local time) on Thursday, Mungkhat is located 1100 km (683 mi) east of Manila and is moving quickly west-northwest at 24 km/h (15 mph). The typhoon is maintaining sustained winds of 269 km/h (167 mph) with gusts of 324 km/h (201 mph), the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, and producing ocean waves 14 m (46 ft) high. It is expected to weaken slightly as it moves over the northern Philippines and arrive at China with 167 km/h (104 mph) sustained winds.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to stay abreast of local weather reports, adhere to instructions given by local authorities, anticipate transportation, power, and telecommunication disruptions, and avoid flood-prone areas until the situation stabilizes. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.