320,000 evacuated as Typhoon lands
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-07-14 15:35
FUZHOU -- Typhoon Bilis landed in eastern Fujian Province Friday noon, said
sources with the Fujian Provincial Meteorological Observatory.
The
typhoon landed in Xiapu County, 220 kilometers northeast to Fuzhou, capital city
of Fujian.
A resident manages to
walk against strong winds in the rain in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province July
14, 2006. Typhoon Billis is approaching China's east coast, bringing heavy
rains and strong winds. [newsphoto] |
Top wind speed near the center was 30 meters per second. It is heading
northwestward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour.
Affected by typhoon Bilis, east China's Zhejiang province was hit by strong
rainstorms on Friday, with the maximum precipitation reaching 239
millimeters.
As of Friday
afternoon, the precipitations in 32 hydrological stations were reported above
100 millimeters, with the maximum reaching 239 millimeters in Huangyan.
Other provinces are bracing for the typhoon.
In
Fujian, 256,000 people have been evacuated to safe places and 42,000 ships on
the sea have been called back.
The provincial educational bureau ordered
that schools should suspend classes and cancel all outdoor activities. All
scenic parks have been closed.
In Zhejiang Province where Bilis brought
strong winds measuring at 10 to 12 degrees on the Beaufort Scale on the sea and
8 to 10 degrees on the land, 70,000 people in dangerous places have been
evacuated and 180,000 ships have been called back to shore by 6 a.m. Friday.
Torrential rain has hit Zhejiang since Thursday noon. Maximum rainfall
reached 184 millimeters in Wenzhou city, southeast of the province.
The
provincial government has made emergency plans to deal with possible natural
disasters triggered by the typhoon.
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