Typhoon Jelawat Ready to Strike China's East CoastA strong typhoon coded ``Jelawat'' has shown its prowess Monday morning, blowing China's largest city Shanghai with a force 7-8 wind and downpouring the city with torrential rains.The typhoon, the largest in the past 10 years to hit Shanghai, triggered thunderstorm and dumped heavy rains at noon. It is expected to reach its height at late afternoon, said a local weather man. Maximum winds could reach 85 mph -- with gusts up to around 110 mph, the weather man said. The typhoon may cause 4-6 meter-high huge wave near the mouth of Yangzi River. Jelawat was formed near Guam Island at 20:00 GMT on August 1, escalated to typhoon on August 2 and moved towards the west. It pounded Japan's southern island of Okinawa on Tuesday, injuring two children, knocking down trees and leaving thousands of homes without electricity. According to Gongmao wanghun, chief weather forcastor of Shanghai Ocean Forcasting Center under the State Marine Bureau, the typhoon is expected to blow off some billboards and unstable air conditioners and might pull out trees in Shanghai. On July 10, tropical storm Kai-Tak passed Shanghai, halting sea transport and drenching commuters but causing no damage. In another related development, Qianjiang Evening News reported that Jelawat could also land in Zhejiang coast late Thursday, bringing with it strong winds and rains. China is prone to typhoon attacks. Every year, about eight typhoons visited the country. China will face more attacks by typhoon this year, officials at meteorological and oceanic departments have predicted. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has urged local government officials to reinforce dikes and reservoirs and keep a close watch on tropic cyclones. |
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