China: Jongdari hits Shanghai, causing evacuations and flight cancelations /update 1

Event

Tropical Storm Jongdari made landfall around 10:30 (local time) Friday, August 3, bringing gale force winds and heavy rain. Approximately 130,000 were moved to temporary shelters and downed power lines caused blackouts for 800 homes in the area. Around 150 flights at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongquiao International Airport (SHA) were cancelled, along with some trains. The storm has already started to dissipate as it moves over land in a west-northwest direction toward Nanjing.

Context

Tropical Storm Jongdari previously made landfall in central Japan as a typhoon before entering the East China Sea; it then gained strength as it made its way toward Shanghai. Typhoons and tropical storms regularly hit coastal China from June through November after gathering strength in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Advice

Individuals in or planning on traveling to the Shanghai area in the coming days are advised to monitor weather conditions until the storm passes, be prepared for transportation disruptions, and obey any instructions issued by the local authorities. Confirm flight reservations and contact your airline for more information.