Fujian On High Alert As Powerful Typhoon Gaemi Nears Landfall

Fujian in east China is bracing for Typhoon Gaemi, expected to strike the province's coast between Thursday afternoon and evening. The National Meteorological Center issued a red alert, the highest level, for Typhoon Gaemi on Wednesday, continuing into Thursday morning. This is the first red alert for a typhoon this year.

The typhoon made landfall in eastern Taiwan's Yilan County around midnight Thursday, resulting in two deaths and 201 injuries. It is forecast to move northwest at 10 km per hour and make its second landfall along the coast between Xiuyu and Lianjiang in Fujian. Afterward, it is projected to continue moving further inland to the north.

Currently, Daitou, a coastal town in Fujian's Putian City, is the closest area to the approaching typhoon. As of Thursday noon, the town was just over 100 kilometres from the centre of Typhoon Gaemi. Wind gusts in Putian have reached level 12, causing ocean waves to splash up to three to four meters high.

Marine aquaculture is vital to Putian's economy. In preparation for the powerful typhoon, local authorities have taken steps to protect both livelihoods and safety of fishers. Measures include strengthening offshore farming facilities, relocating small fishing boats to safer areas, and increasing patrols and surveillance in ports and bay areas to prevent people from going out to sea during the typhoon.

In addition to coastal measures, inland areas of Putian City are also preparing by pruning street trees and reinforcing roadside billboards for public safety. The city has launched a level III emergency response for rainstorm prevention. Government staff are inspecting and clearing low-lying areas, drains, and rivers to manage potential heavy rainfall.

Projected Path and Duration

The Ministry of Water Resources stated that Typhoon Gaemi is projected to last six days after making landfall in Fujian on Thursday. It will affect seven major river basins in China: Pearl River, Taihu Lake, Yangtze River, Huaihe River, Yellow River, Haihe River, and Songliao River Basin.

"Typhoon Gaemi is projected to move from southern China impacting all seven major river basins," said Yin Zhijie, Chief Hydrology Forecaster at the ministry. "It’s moving slowly which gives it time to gather strength. With the southwest monsoon adding moisture, it has a lot of water vapor which may lead to heavy rainfall."

Based on the projected path of the typhoon, affected areas may see total rainfall amounts ranging from 70 to 130 millimeters.

The local meteorological department reported that wind gusts in Putian have reached level 12. The winds are so intense that ocean waves crashing into the coastline can splash up to three or four meters high.

The National Meteorological Center issued a red alert for Typhoon Gaemi on Wednesday and continued this alert into Thursday morning. This marks the first red alert for a typhoon issued this year.

With inputs from WAM