China: Tropical Depression Pulasan tracking northward across Jiangsu Province as of Sept. 20 /update 6

Tropical Depression Pulasan is tracking northward across central Jiangsu Province, China, Sept. 20, having made landfall over the northeastern island areas of Zhejiang Province and Shanghai Sept. 19. As of 14:00 CST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 809 km (503 miles) west-southwest of Chinhae, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

Forecast models indicate that the weather system will strengthen back into a tropical storm as it moves northeastward into the Yellow Sea late Sept. 20 and then turns to track east-northeastward before making another landfall over South Joella Province in South Korea late morning Sept. 21. The system will likely maintain its strength as it tracks east-northeastward across southern South Korea and enters the Sea of Japan Sept. 21. Pulasan is forecast to transition into a post-tropical cyclone as it tracks east-northeastward in the Sea of Japan and approaches the Oki Islands, Japan, early Sept. 22. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

The China Meteorological Administration is maintaining a blue typhoon warning (the lowest level on a four-tier scale); heavy to torrential rain is forecast in parts of central and southern Jiangsu, southern Anhui, northern Zhejiang, and Shanghai through the afternoon of Sept. 21, with the heaviest rainfall totals of 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) possible in southern Jiangsu and northern and eastern Shanghai. Strong winds are forecast across parts of eastern China. Yellow rainstorm and landslide warnings are also in place over parts of the affected area.

The Korea Meteorological Administration has warned of strong winds and heavy rainfall in southern regions, including Jeju Island, as the storm approaches. As of Sept. 20, rainfall warnings have been issued for parts of Gangwon Province and rainfall advisories are in place across parts of northern and southern South Korea. Strong wind advisories are in place for southwestern areas and storm surge advisories for eastern and southeastern coastal regions.

Authorities in Shanghai evacuated around 112,000 people due to the storm as of early Sept. 20. Dozens of rail and ferry services have been suspended in the region.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.