TYPHOON MUIFA makes a second landfall on coast of China

On Thursday, Typhoon Muifa made a second landfall along China’s heavily populated east coast, after forcing the closure of both of Shanghai’s international airports.

State media Xinhua reported that the storm, with maximum sustained winds of 126 kph (78 mph), made landfall in Shanghai’s Fengxian area at 12:30 am (1630 GMT Wednesday).

Xinhua reports that on Wednesday, Muifa struck the city of Zhoushan in Zhejiang province.

As Muifa made her way toward the coast, the Chinese Central Meteorological Administration issued the country’s highest typhoon alert for the first time this year.

The weather service predicts that the eastern coast of China will be hit with gale-force winds and heavy rainfall till Thursday morning.

It went on to say that “relevant places should pay attention to the avoidance of flash floods and geological disasters that may be triggered by excessive rain.”

The Shanghai Airport Group said they would “timely communicate flight adjustments at both airports to the public, in line with the typhoon’s impact,” according to a social media post.

The storm comes soon after Typhoon Hinnamnoor struck Shanghai and its nearby region last week, causing the suspension of Shanghai ferry services and school cancellations in portions of Zhejiang.

As Zhejiang prepared for Muifa’s arrival, authorities ordered all fishing vessels to return to port by noon on Wednesday, canceled schools in three cities, suspended passenger ferry lines and closed tourist attractions.

According to CCTV, emergency shelters have been established in various locations throughout Shanghai, and an evacuation zone of more than 30 kilometers along the city’s coastal area has been established.

China’s state media has reported that Muifa is the country’s twelfth typhoon of 2018.

As it travels farther north inland on Thursday, its influence is expected to lessen, according to CCTV.