Zhejiang braces for rare triple typhoon threat

Zhejiang province escalated emergency measures and suspended coastal transport on Friday amid multiple typhoon threats, with maritime authorities warning of a rare triple storm surge event.

According to the National Meteorological Center, Typhoon Francisco, the 7th typhoon this year, was located approximately 290 kilometers southeast of the Zhejiang-Fujian border at 10 am Friday. The tropical storm packed maximum winds of 18 meters per second near its center, with gale-force winds extending 60-200 km. It is moving westward at 10-15 kilometers per hour toward the southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian coasts while gradually weakening.

As reported by the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration, the combined impacts from the 6th, 7th, and 8th typhoon systems of this year have already caused 6-7 level winds (gusting to 8) and 2-meter waves in local waters. Conditions are forecast to strengthen to force 8 northeast winds (gusting 9-10) with 3-meter waves today. Coinciding with the spring tide, meteorologists warn that this may trigger a rare triple convergence of storm surge, astronomical tide, and high waves, severely impacting navigation.

In response to the risk, the provincial maritime authority activated a Level IV typhoon emergency response at 3 pm Thursday, followed by Ningbo, Hangzhou, Wenzhou, and Taizhou. The alert for southern Zhejiang waters was upgraded to Level III at 9 am Friday. Meanwhile, all 30 coastal passenger routes in Wenzhou and Taizhou were suspended, alongside 55 routes in Ningbo and Zhoushan. Nearly 140 marine construction projects were halted, and 284 vessels were evacuated to safe anchorages.

Maritime departments are implementing 24-hour patrols and have issued 75,000 storm warnings and inspected 11,000 vessels. Six rescue ships from the East China Sea Rescue Bureau and the Shanghai Salvage Bureau are on standby, with 151 tugs deployed along the coast.

Additionally, Rui'an maritime authorities in Wenzhou evacuated 111 tourists from the Beiji and Beilong islands by 7 pm Thursday under emergency protocols.

Authorities urge travelers to follow weather alerts and adjust travel plans for safety.