As Typhoon Bavi churned along China's eastern coast, the port city of Qingdao in Shandong Province is taking precautionary steps to protect residents, infrastructure from the approaching storm.
Typhoon Bavi, the ninth typhoon of the year, made landfall twice along the coast of east China's Zhejiang Province at 23:20. Saturday and again around midnight, then moved inland.
As the outer rainbands of Typhoon Bavi continued to sweep across Qingdao's coast, winds grew stronger, sending sea waves crashing over the seawalls and pushing seawater onto the promenades along the city's waterfront.
Forecasts showed rainfall will hit the city from Monday evening through Tuesday morning, particularly in southern coastal areas, where heavy to torrential downpours are expected.
The strongest winds and heaviest rainfall are predicted to occur overnight into Tuesday morning, with offshore waves reaching up 3.2 meters.
The city activated a Level-III emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention on Sunday.
Authorities quickly moved to close off major coastal thoroughfares to all vehicles and pedestrians starting Sunday, ensuring public safety.
At the Port of Qingdao, one of China's busiest shipping hubs, operations were suspended as a precaution. More than 470 vessels were directed to anchorages or secured at berths to ride out the storm, with 361 large shore-side cranes and 376 yard cranes anchored and locked.
As Qingdao is in the height of its summer tourist season, coastal attractions became a primary focus of prevention efforts. All nine public bathing beaches were closed, along with popular landmarks such as the Laoshan Mountain scenic zone, Zhanqiao Pier, Xiaomai Island, and the city's scenic coastal boardwalks.
Meanwhile, 11 medium and large reservoirs were pre-released to increase their capacity for incoming floodwaters, while routine inspections were conducted across 474 small reservoirs to ensure river channels remain clear and unobstructed.
China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe.
Qingdao braces for Typhoon Bavi with orderly preparations
