Zhejiang launches typhoon response for Qiangpi, then adjusts it to Level IV a day later
In short
Zhejiang's flood and typhoon command launched a marine typhoon response at 09:00 on 21 October for Typhoon Qiangpi (蔷琵), the year's 30th typhoon, which had winds of force 17 or higher. On 22 October the command adjusted the response to Level IV at 08:00, while forecasting heavy rain in eastern Zhejiang from 23 to 25 October.
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Zhejiang's provincial flood and typhoon command decided to launch a marine typhoon response at 09:00 on 21 October, Xinhua and China News Service reported. The move was a response to Typhoon Qiangpi (蔷琵), the 30th typhoon of the year, and followed the province's flood and typhoon emergency plan after consultation and assessment. [ 3 , 4 ]
The command told coastal areas and provincial departments to watch the typhoon closely and enter a state of readiness. It listed sheltering key ships, anchoring fishing boats in port, suspending sea routes, closing coastal tourist sites, and evacuating people from fish-raft farms and offshore construction projects. [ 3 , 4 ]
According to the Zhejiang weather service, quoted by Xinhua, the typhoon had maximum winds of force 17 or higher near its centre at 08:00 on 21 October, at super typhoon level, and was expected to move west-northwest. China News Service said it was about 1,200 km southeast of Taipei, moving at about 20 km/h with little change in strength expected. Because of the typhoon and cold air, winds of force 9 to 11 were forecast over the East China Sea and Zhejiang's coastal waters from 21 to 24 October, rising to force 12 to 14 over parts of the southern East China Sea from 22 to 24 October. China News Service added that winds of force 13 to 15 could occur where the centre passes, and that a wave warning had been issued. [ 3 , 4 ]
CLS reported that Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration had started a Level III typhoon response from 08:00 on 21 October. By that time 36 passenger routes in the province were suspended because of strong winds and all 223 offshore construction projects had stopped. Since the response began, maritime authorities had issued 61,000 warnings and checked 23,000 vessel trips, and they urged ships to keep in contact with shore and avoid the affected area. [ 2 ]
On 22 October CLS reported that the typhoon, at 05:00, was about 750 km southeast of Taipei with maximum winds of force 16, still at super typhoon level. It was expected to move northwest at 15 to 20 km/h toward the coast of northeastern Taiwan. Winds of force 12 to 14 were forecast over parts of the central and southern East China Sea on 22 and 23 October, and from 23 to 25 October parts of eastern Zhejiang were forecast to get heavy rain to torrential rain, with extremely heavy rain in places. The provincial command decided to adjust the marine response to a Level IV typhoon response at 08:00 on 22 October. Yicai carried the same adjustment in a headline. [ 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The response covers shipping, fishing boats, offshore work and coastal tourist sites in Zhejiang, according to the provincial instructions reported by Xinhua and China News Service. Outlets report stronger winds at sea and heavy rain forecast for eastern Zhejiang in the coming days.
Key facts
- Zhejiang's provincial flood and typhoon command decided to launch a marine typhoon response at 09:00 on 21 October for the year's 30th typhoon, Qiangpi (蔷琵). [ 3 , 4 ]
- Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration launched a Level III typhoon response from 08:00 on 21 October; by 08:00, 36 passenger routes were suspended and 223 offshore construction projects had stopped. [ 2 ]
- At 08:00 on 21 October the typhoon had maximum winds of force 17 or higher near its centre (super typhoon level), about 1,200 km southeast of Taipei. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Since the maritime response began, Zhejiang maritime authorities had issued 61,000 warnings and checked 23,000 vessel trips, CLS reported. [ 2 ]
- At 05:00 on 22 October the typhoon was about 750 km southeast of Taipei with maximum winds of force 16, moving northwest at 15 to 20 km/h. [ 5 ]
- The provincial command decided to adjust the marine response to a Level IV typhoon response at 08:00 on 22 October. [ 5 ]
- From 23 to 25 October, parts of eastern Zhejiang are forecast to get heavy rain to torrential rain, with extremely heavy rain in places. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Zhejiang's provincial flood and typhoon command launched a marine typhoon response at 09:00 on 21 October for Typhoon Qiangpi, the year's 30th typhoon. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The command told coastal areas and provincial departments to prepare for the typhoon, including sheltering key ships, anchoring fishing boats in port, suspending sea routes, closing coastal tourist sites and evacuating people from fish-raft farms and offshore construction projects. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Winds of force 9 to 11 were forecast over the East China Sea and Zhejiang's coastal waters from 21 to 24 October, with force 12 to 14 over parts of the southern East China Sea from 22 to 24 October. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The provincial command adjusted the response to Level IV at 08:00 on 22 October. [ 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- How the Level III response of the maritime safety administration relates to the provincial marine response and its later Level IV adjustment. The documents describe the Level III response (CLS) and the provincial marine response (Xinhua, China News Service) separately and do not explain how they relate.
- What changes under the Level IV response. The available text of the 22 October reports gives the adjustment and the time but not what it changes in practice; Yicai's report on it carries only a headline.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration launches a Level III typhoon response on 21 October. [ 2 ]
- Zhejiang's provincial command launches the marine typhoon response on 21 October. [ 3 , 4 ]
- On 22 October the typhoon is about 750 km southeast of Taipei with winds of force 16. [ 5 ]
- The provincial command adjusts the marine response to Level IV on 22 October. [ 5 ]