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Shanghai braced for Typhoon Wipha Shanghai braced for Typhoon Wipha
(about 6 hours later)
Some 200,000 people are being evacuated from China's financial hub, Shanghai, as a powerful typhoon barrels towards the country's east coast.Some 200,000 people are being evacuated from China's financial hub, Shanghai, as a powerful typhoon barrels towards the country's east coast.
Residents from the city's exposed areas were being moved to temporary shelters ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Wipha.Residents from the city's exposed areas were being moved to temporary shelters ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Wipha.
Forecasters said the storm, expected to make landfall by early Wednesday, could be the worst to hit in a decade.Forecasters said the storm, expected to make landfall by early Wednesday, could be the worst to hit in a decade.
Rains and winds from Wipha have hit north Taiwan, forcing schools and offices to shut and grounding flights.Rains and winds from Wipha have hit north Taiwan, forcing schools and offices to shut and grounding flights.
Map of the typhoon's projected path Map of the typhoon's projected path
One man was reported killed when scaffolding collapsed at a construction site in the capital, Taipei.One man was reported killed when scaffolding collapsed at a construction site in the capital, Taipei.
Gaining strengthGaining strength
Typhoon animated guide Shanghai and the Chinese coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian to the south have all issued typhoon warnings, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
Experts said the typhoon, which was gaining strength as it approached, could bring up to 200mm of rain and winds of more than 150km/h.Experts said the typhoon, which was gaining strength as it approached, could bring up to 200mm of rain and winds of more than 150km/h.
Typhoon animated guide
"This is the first time in 10 years that the eye of the storm will probably make landfall in Shanghai," said Ding Ruoyang, a meteorologist at the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau."This is the first time in 10 years that the eye of the storm will probably make landfall in Shanghai," said Ding Ruoyang, a meteorologist at the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau.
He said that residents in vulnerable areas or structures were being evacuated.He said that residents in vulnerable areas or structures were being evacuated.
"The evacuation includes residents who live in old and dangerous houses, workers who live in temporary construction site structures, as well as workers living near the shore," he added."The evacuation includes residents who live in old and dangerous houses, workers who live in temporary construction site structures, as well as workers living near the shore," he added.
By Tuesday afternoon, the heavily-populated city was covered in heavy cloud and rain had been falling steadily overnight, the BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Shanghai said. By Tuesday afternoon, the city was covered in cloud and rain had been falling steadily overnight, the BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Shanghai said.
But the streets remained busy and schools and offices are still operating.But the streets remained busy and schools and offices are still operating.
Flood control officials in nearby Zhejiang province have also urged residents to prepare for evacuations, check reservoirs and be on alert for flash flooding and landslides. More than 160,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in nearby Fujian province.
Boats and ships were ordered to return to port ahead of the storm and ferry services were suspended, state media said. Flood control officials further north in Zhejiang province have urged residents to prepare for evacuations, check reservoirs and be on alert for flash flooding and landslides.
State television showed huge waves pounding eastern shores, and it reported that boats and ships have been ordered to return to port and ferry services suspended.
The deadliest storm to hit the coast of China in recent years was Typhoon Winnie in 1997, which killed 236 people.The deadliest storm to hit the coast of China in recent years was Typhoon Winnie in 1997, which killed 236 people.
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Are you in the area affected by Typhoon Wipha? Are you preparing to evacuate? Do you have friends or relatives in the region? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you in the area affected by Typhoon Wipha? Are you preparing to evacuate? Do you have friends or relatives in the region? Send us your comments and experiences.
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