South China coastal provinces brace for Typhoon Tapah

China’s southern coastal provinces have stepped up preparations as Typhoon Tapah, the 16th of the year, has formed, prompting the suspensions of shipping routes and heightened monitoring measures.

The island province of Hainan issued a Level IV typhoon warning at 08:00 on Sunday.

At 07:00 on Sunday, the center of Typhoon Tapah was located over the South China Sea, approximately 445 kilometers southeast of Dianbai District of Maoming City, Guangdong Province, packing maximum winds of 23 meters per second near its center, the Hainan provincial meteorological observatory said.

Typhoon Tapah is forecast to move northwestward at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour while gradually intensifying. It was expected to approach the coastal areas of central and western Guangdong and make landfall between the cities of Zhuhai and Zhanjiang from early Sunday morning to noon as a severe tropical storm or typhoon. Its intensity will gradually weaken after landfall, according to meteorological authorities.

Affected by the typhoon, during daytime on Sunday, the Qiongzhou Strait and Beibu Gulf will experience easterly winds of force five with gusts reaching force seven to eight during thunderstorms. Wind forces in the eastern sea areas of Hainan Island will gradually increase to force seven to nine, with gusts reaching force 10 to 11. Sea areas near the Xisha and Zhongsha Islands will experience strengthening wind forces, reaching force six to eight with gusts of force eight to 10.

In Haikou, capital of Hainan, the transportation and port authorities announced that three key ports facilitating cross-Strait transportation would suspend operations from 14:00 Sunday. Services are expected to remain halted until Tuesday morning.

In Guangdong, the provincial flood control, drought relief and wind prevention headquarters upgraded its typhoon emergency response to Level III at 23:00 on Saturday. It has instructed local departments to intensify maritime and onshore safety measures and ensure public protection. The provincial maritime administration followed with a Level II emergency response for tropical cyclones at 08:00 Sunday. As of 11:00 Sunday, 30 passenger ferry routes in the province have been suspended.

The maritime authority in neighboring Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region activated a Level IV typhoon emergency response at 09:00 Sunday, directing local departments to closely monitor the storm’s progress and carry out precautionary measures.

Maritime and inland river bureaus in cities of Beihai, Qinzhou, Fangchenggang, Guigang, and Wuzhou were ordered to track the typhoon closely, issue timely alerts, and advise vessels, shipping companies, and construction units to implement preventive measures. Authorities there have reinforced duty shifts, increased inspections both on-site and electronically, and launched safety checks to identify typhoon-related risks.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.

South China coastal provinces brace for Typhoon Tapah

After the devastating fire at the housing complex Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the central government, Hong Kong authorities, and people from across China have joined forces in a massive outpouring of relief and support.

The blaze, the deadliest Hong Kong had witnessed for decades, broke out at around 14:50 on Nov 26 at the eight-towered residential estate Wang Fuk Court, which was under renovation, in Tai Po district. The fire quickly engulfed seven of the towers, leaving at least 159 dead, 79 injured and thousands of families homeless.

According to the latest official update, the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, established by the HKSAR government, has received 3 billion Hong Kong dollars in external donations. Together with the HKSAR government's start-up capital of 300 million Hong Kong dollars, the fund stands at around 3.3 billion Hong Kong dollars in total. It will be used to help residents rebuild their homes and provide long-term support.

Following the fire, the HKSAR government has made comprehensive, multi-tiered rescue and resettlement efforts.

On the night of the blaze, the government promptly established temporary shelters at multiple locations across Tai Po district, coordinating accommodations in youth hostels, hotels, and transitional housing for affected residents. Emergency subsidies and living allowances were distributed to those impacted, while support was also provided through a "one household, one social worker" mechanism.

People from across Hong Kong have joined volunteer efforts, hoping to bring warmth to the wounded community, with donated supplies such as clothing, food, drinking water continuously arriving at temporary shelters.

Many taxi drivers have also volunteered to provide free rides.

"We work here from 08:00 in the morning to past 22:00 at night. We only leave when there are no passengers. That's how it is. It does affect earnings a bit. It definitely has an impact. But that's not important. The most important thing is to help others first," said Wong Chi-chuen, a taxi driver .

At the request of the HKSAR government, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council has coordinated the Ministry of Emergency Management to provide batches of supplies for the Tai Po fire relief effort, including portable outdoor charging stations, heavy-duty conveyors, blowers, respirators, goggles, protective suits, headlamps, and waterproof boots.

Mainland companies and residents, and various sectors in Macao also provided support following the devastating fire in Hong Kong, donating funds and supplies for emergency relief and post-disaster recovery.

"A large amount of supplies was collected and delivered to our disaster-stricken areas in a very short time. It made me realize what it means to be bound by blood. Because this kind of bond runs deep. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone," said Peter Lam, chairman of Tai Po Rural Committee.

Support from across China pours in after devastating fire in Hong Kong