A tropical depression in the South China Sea intensified into Typhoon Tapah on Saturday, poised to make landfall in Guangdong Province on Monday morning. The storm is forecast to bring heavy rains to coastal areas of Guangdong and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, while persistent rainfall along the Yangtze River will affect Chongqing, Hubei, and Anhui.
Forecast and Rainfall Predictions
Tapah is moving northwest at 10–15 km/h and is expected to land between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang in Guangdong between early Monday and noon. Ahead of landfall, southeastern Guangdong will see torrential rain (100–120 mm) from Sunday 8 am to Monday 8 am, with hourly totals of 20–50 mm (some areas exceeding 70 mm). From Sunday to Wednesday, southern China—including Yunnan, Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi—could accumulate 80–180 mm of rain, with isolated areas reaching 250–400 mm.
Emergency Responses and Preparations
Guangdong has activated a Level III emergency response for wind prevention, flood control, and typhoon management, suspending all outdoor group activities and high-altitude operations. Beaches, scenic spots, parks, and amusement parks are closed, with personnel evacuated. The Zhuhai Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow typhoon alert (effective until Monday), prompting all kindergartens, nurseries, and primary/secondary schools in the city to suspend classes. Shenzhen upgraded its citywide alert from white to blue at 9 am Sunday, reinforcing roadside trees, construction sites, and glass curtain walls against strong winds, as well as seawalls and coastal highways against storm surges.
Transportation and Infrastructure Adjustments
In Guangdong, 30 passenger ferry routes have been suspended, and railway lines have adjusted operations or halted service. The Qiongzhou Strait passenger ferry service was completely suspended starting 2 pm Sunday. The Pearl River Estuary is experiencing strong winds, with waves up to 5 meters high, affecting shipping.
Potential Disasters and Warnings
The National Meteorological Center warns of flash floods, geological hazards, small/medium river flooding, urban waterlogging, and wind damage in affected areas over the next three days. The Pearl River Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has raised its emergency response to Level III for Guangdong and Hainan, dispatching a work team to assist with local relief efforts.
