East China Sea: Typhoon Bebinca tracking westward towards Shanghai as of early Sept. 16 /update 9

Typhoon Bebinca is tracking westward across the East China Sea towards the east coast of China early Sept. 16. As of 02:00 CST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 189 km (117 miles) east-southeast of Shanghai, China.

Forecast models indicate the system will make landfall in Shanghai over the coming hours. After landfall, Bebinca is forecast to weaken into a tropical storm as it tracks west-northwestward across southern Jiangsu Province Sept. 16 before weakening further into a tropical depression and dissipating as it moves over Anhui Province through the afternoon of Sept. 17. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

The China Meteorological Administration has issued a red typhoon warning (the highest level on a four-tier scale), advising of strong winds over the western East China and southern Yellow seas and coastal areas of northeastern Zhejiang, Shanghai, southern and central Jiangsu, and eastern Anhui and heavy rainfall across parts of central Anhui, central and southern Jiangsu, Shanghai, and northern Zhejiang. Rainfall totals of 10-19 cm (4-7.5 inches) possible across parts of the affected area.

China's Ministry of Water Resources has issued a Level-IV emergency response (the lowest level on a four-tier scale) for flooding across Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. More than 9,300 people in Chongming Sistrict, Shanghai and more that 9,000 people in Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province have been evacuated. All flights have been canceled at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) since 20:00 Sept. 15. More than 100 flights at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) and Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB) were canceled for Sept. 15-16.

The Shanghai railway station has also suspended some services to ensure passenger safety. Six subway lines and the fly-over sections of another nine subway lines will suspend operations Sept. 16. Train services between Shenzhen and Shanghai as well as across the Yangtze River Delta are also suspended. Passenger shipping lines in Shanghai, including ferries connecting Shanghai with Chongming Island have suspended. Several highways connecting to Shanghai have imposed speed restrictions and some sections have been closed. Tourism areas across Shanghai and Hangzhou are closed. Public transportation in Zhoushan are suspended.

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 and render 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.