China/Hong Kong: Typhoon Mangkhut to make landfall on September 16-17 /update 2

Event

As of the evening (local time) of Saturday, September 15, Typhoon Mangkhut is located 496 km (308 mi) southwest Hong Kong moving northwest at 30 km/h (19 mph) with maximum sustained winds of up to 195 km/h (121 mph). Mangkhut is expected to make landfall over Hong Kong and southern China by Sunday afternoon. The China Meteorological Administration has issued red alerts, its highest alert, for Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces. The storm is forecast to bring heavy rainfall to Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau, southeastern Fujian, eastern Guangxi, Hainan Island, southeastern Zhejiang, and central-eastern Taiwan through Monday, September 17. Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) canceled 300 flights on Saturday and Sunday and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) has canceled another 225 flights. Trains and ferry service in Guangdong and Hong Kong have also been suspended. Additional transportation disruptions, power and telecommunications outages, flash flooding, and mudslides are possible in the affected areas in the coming hours and days.

Context

Typhoon Mangkhut made landfall over Philippines' northern island of Luzon on Saturday, September 15, killing at least 16 people and causing severe material damage to the area. Tropical cyclones and typhoons are common during the monsoon season which lasts from May through November.

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. Travelers utilizing airports in southern China are advised to confirm their flight status before traveling to the airport and anticipate delays and cancelations. 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.