ZCZC
BFF-18
FLIGHTS-SCHOOLS-TYPHOON-MANGKHUT
Flights cancelled, schools closed as Typhoon Mangkhut approaches
HAIKOU, Sept. 16, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – More than 400 flights at two
airports in China’s southernmost island Province of Hainan were cancelled
Sunday morning, with all coastal resorts and schools closed, as Typhoon
Mangkhut approached.
Mangkhut is forecast to be the strongest typhoon in China this year and is
expected to land in south China’s Guangdong Province on Sunday afternoon or
evening, packing strong gales of 50 meters per second, according to China’s
National Meteorological Center.
Hainan to the south of Guangdong has been affected by strong gales and
heavy downpours.
All airlines have informed passengers of typhoon-affected flight
cancellations in advance, according to airports in the cities of Haikou and
Sanya. So far, no passengers have been stranded at the airports.
The Hainan provincial tourist department has ordered all scenic areas,
schools and outdoor businesses to close on Sunday and Monday morning.
Guangdong has taken similar precautions.
By Saturday, fishing boats in coastal cities of Guangdong were called into
harbor. Ferry services in the Qiongzhou Strait linking Guangdong and Hainan
were suspended from Saturday morning.
Flights via Shenzhen Airport were all cancelled on Sunday until 8 a.m.
Monday. All long-distance coach services through the city were suspended from
6 p.m. Saturday.
BSS/Xinhua/MSY/1056 hrs