THE city is officially on typhoon alert.
Two to three typhoons are expected in the wet season, the Shanghai Flood Control Headquarters and the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau warned at a joint conference yesterday.
The flood season runs from June until September, and high temperatures and little rainfall are forecast.
There will be 20 to 26 days when temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius this summer, and the extreme high could reach 39 degrees, the weather bureau reported.
"Strong convective weather, including thunderstorms, rainstorms in certain areas, hail or even tornadoes, will occur more frequently, which raises our concerns," said Tang Xu, director of the bureau.
The Huangpu River may breach its danger level of four meters more than 30 times, mostly during the middle and end of August and September, he said.
The headquarters has begun flood preparations. "The drainage system of the city is relatively backward, and some underground sites, including subways, underground markets and garages, may be flooded if rainstorms occur continuously," said Zhang Jiayi, deputy director of the headquarters.
"Some sea walls are not firm enough for extremely strong winds and waves. Outdoor billboards and other things may fall down during a typhoon and are always a threat to human lives."
The headquarters will organize disaster-prevention rehearsals soon in seaside areas, including Chongming, Changxing and Hengshang islands. The drills include mass-evacuation procedures.
Subways, tunnels and underground facilities authorities will also carry out rehearsals for dispersing crowds in the event of major flooding.
Owners of apartments with satellite-television dishes should also be cautious as more lightning strikes can be expected in the flooding season, meteorologists warned.
Ainda bem que não tenho satélite. Só canais chineses. Bem bons.
|