Zhanjiang battens down for super typhoon Mangkhut

Various measures have been rolled out in Zhanjiang to minimize causalities and economic losses brought by super typhoon Mangkhut.

Mangkhut, the 22rd typhoon of this year, landed at 5 pm on Sept 16 on the coast of Jiangmen, packing winds up to 162 km per hour and leaving a trail of damage.

According to the Guangdong Meteorological Observatory Mangkhut will continue to generate heavy rain and bring strong winds to the province until Sept 20.

Zhanjiang has been continuing as well, putting all preventative measures in place.

As of 5 pm Sept 15, all 10,242 fishing boats were called into harbor, and 115,775 residents had been relocated. Work had been suspended at 405 construction sites. Six coastal resorts, 26 tourist spots and all schools in the city are now closed.

Thirty-seven rescue teams, along with troops, armed police and firemen, are on standby in case of any emergencies. A raft of sand bags, steel reinforcement cage and geotechnical clothes are stored for disaster relief.

To prevent power failure, Zhanjiang power supply authorities have arranged 529 emergency repair vehicles, 10 dynamo vans and 147 electric generators. There are also 108 emergency water supply spots in the city to secure water supply.

As of Sept 16, Zhanjiang had allocated more than 5.65 million yuan ($822,404) for disaster relief. A total of 1,128 folding beds, 822 tents, 203 cotton quilts, 180 blankets, and 43,026 kilos of rice, among other items, had been distributed to locals.

So far, no causalities have been reported. Zhanjiang Airport resumed operation at 7 am, and ferry service across the Qiongzhou Strait was resumed at 3 pm.