Guangzhou, in South China's coastal Guangdong Province, is already withstanding strong winds and heavy rains on Sunday preceding Typhoon Wipha, the sixth typhoon of the year, which is expected to land later that day.
Strong winds blew trees down in the city and whipped up waves in coastal areas.
Nansha District, the southernmost area of Guangzhou, was the very first places affected by Wipha, where more trees were toppled down. Currently, all coastal attractions and facilities in Nansha are closed, and residents in low-lying areas have been evacuated.
The main waterway at the Pearl River estuary is under temporary traffic control. The Guangzhou Maritime Bureau has executed access restriction to the sea route from 14:30 Saturday to 08:00 Monday.
All water construction operations under the Guangzhou maritime jurisdiction have been halted, and all non-powered construction vessels and personnel working for offshore wind power projects south of the Humen Bridge have been evacuated.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and Huangmaohai Sea-crossing Channel, more adjacent to the open sea, are temporarily closed starting Sunday.
Currently, work and schools have been suspended in Nansha District, and businesses close to some coastal areas are closed.
Guangzhou withstands strong winds, heavy rains preceding Typhoon Wipha
Farmers in India, a major agricultural producer and fertilizer importer, are raising concerns over fertilizer availability ahead of the planting season, as the escalating Middle East conflict and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz put global supplies at risk.
The Middle East serves as both a vital energy hub and a major global fertilizer supplier, yet the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has heightened risks of disruption to international supplies.
Chand Singh Yadav, a farmer in Haryana, a northern Indian state, said poor crop yields would be disastrous for the country and called on the government to ensure adequate supplies of fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds to prevent a food crisis. "Without fertilizers, our crops will not grow well, and this would be disastrous for the entire country. If farmers cannot grow crops, people will not be able to buy food in the market. We urge the government to improve the supply system for fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds to prevent the country and society as a whole from sliding into a food crisis," he said.
The Indian government is stepping up subsidies for farmers and optimizing fertilizer distribution and allocation to stabilize the supply. Prices have remained broadly stable, but demand is expected to surge ahead of the planting season, potentially exacerbating supply pressures.
"The current situation is worrying for us farmers. Spring sowing has not yet started, and the rainy season has not arrived. Fertilizer prices are temporarily stable, but in two months, demand for agricultural fertilizers will become pressing. Without fertilizers, it will be difficult to properly cultivate various types of crops. Urea and diammonium phosphate are especially critical. Crops can only grow normally when these fertilizers are applied. As these fertilizers are largely imported, if the conflict persists, supplies cannot be guaranteed," said Santosh Mishra, a farmer in India's eastern state of Odisha.
Escalating Middle East conflict strains India’s fertilizer supply
Escalating Middle East conflict strains India’s fertilizer supply
