Did Typhoon Wutip Make Its Second Landfall in China?

Synopsis
Typhoon Wutip's second landfall near Leizhou City in Guangdong Province has raised concerns as it weakens into a tropical storm. With thousands evacuated and significant weather impacts looming, this event underscores China's ongoing battle with extreme weather and its commitment to sustainable practices amid climate challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Typhoon Wutip is the first typhoon of 2023 to make landfall in China.
- It made landfall in Guangdong Province, impacting local communities.
- Thousands of residents have been evacuated for safety.
- Wutip originated over the South China Sea.
- China is facing increasing extreme weather events.
Guangzhou, June 14 (NationPress) Typhoon Wutip, the inaugural typhoon of the season, made its second landfall close to Leizhou City in Guangdong Province, southern China, at approximately 12:30 a.m. (local time) on Saturday, as reported by the provincial meteorological observatory.
Upon making landfall, Wutip had downgraded to a severe tropical storm, with peak wind speeds reaching 30 metres per second near its center and a central minimum pressure of 980 hectopascals.
The typhoon initially struck near Dongfang City in the island province of Hainan at around 11 p.m. on Friday.
Forecasts indicate that it will continue moving northeast at a speed of 20 to 25 km/h, skirting the border between Guangdong and Guangxi, while gradually losing intensity, according to the Xinhua news agency.
In preparation for Typhoon Wutip, tens of thousands of residents were evacuated to safety in Hainan Province. As of 8 p.m. Thursday, a total of 16,561 individuals had been relocated from construction sites, low-lying flood-prone areas, and regions susceptible to flash floods.
All 30,721 fishing vessels in the province returned to ports or sought shelter, with over 40,000 crew members evacuated ashore.
Wutip, the first typhoon to make landfall in China this year, originated over the South China Sea on Wednesday, as noted by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).
Recent summers have seen China grappling with extreme weather challenges, including severe heatwaves, droughts, and intense rainfall leading to flooding.
As the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, China is also at the forefront of renewable energy initiatives and aims for net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2060.
Last August, devastating rains brought by Typhoon Gaemi, which traversed from the Philippines and Taiwan before impacting eastern China, resulted in at least 30 fatalities and numerous individuals reported missing.