Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest storm in 70 years, hit Shanghai, airports and rail lines closed

 

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Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest storm to hit Shanghai in 70 years, made landfall Monday, state media reported.

 Flights were canceled, highways closed, and coastal residents evacuated as the city faced strong winds and heavy rain. 

A red alert remains in effect, with Bebinca surpassing the impact of 1949’s Typhoon Gloria, city authorities confirmed. 

The typhoon landed early Monday morning in the coastal area of Lingang New City, in Pudong to the city's east, the China Meteorological Administration said.

Pudong and Hongqiao airports have been closed until further notice, stranding thousands of passengers on the first day of the mid-autumn festival.

At least 14 metro lines were closed, including the airport maglev express.

Shanghai’s municipal government said 250 emergency teams and more than 2,200 rescue workers have been on standby since Saturday.