CGTN America
Typhoon Matmo is moving northwest at a speed of 20 to 25 kilometers (roughly 12 to 15 miles) per hour, with heavy rain and wind hitting Taiwan. Matmo is expected to strengthen over Taiwan with winds of up to 185 kilometers (115 miles) per hour, and classes have been canceled along the east coast of the island. Residents in remote and rural areas have been evacuated. CCTV’s Zhong Shi reports.
Matmo is expected to reach Fujian and Zhejiang provinces on Wednesday, and skirt northward along the Chinese coast. Regions including Shanghai, Anhui and Shandong will be affected by downpours of up to 40 centimeters (nearly 16 inches) of rain.
A yellow alert has been declared, the second highest level in China’s four-level, color-coded weather warning system. Flood control authorities have initiated response measures, including stopping outdoor construction in Fujian Province.
The provincial flood control headquarters ordered reinforced maritime patrols along coast. Farmers in flood-prone locations were evacuated. Frontier defense police also persuaded tourists to leave the coastal area and closed most resorts along the shore. Cross strait transportation between Fujian and Taiwan is also suspended.
To prepare for Typhoon Matmo’s impact, China’s State Oceanic Administration and rescue teams from coastal cities jointly conducted a drill on Tuesday to train rescuers’ ability to respond. They also issued an alert for high waves and storms.
Meanwhile, the death toll for Typhoon Rammasun rose to 46 on Tuesday, and 25 people are still missing. More than 600,000 people have been resettled and some 200,000 are in urgent need of basic necessities. Combined direct economic losses in the affected areas amount to $5.5 billion.
