Shanghai faces second major typhoon in a week, evacuations underway

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Shanghai experienced its second major typhoon in a week as Typhoon Pulasan hit the city on Thursday, bringing record-breaking rainfall. This comes just days after Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest storm to affect the area since 1949, caused widespread disruptions. Pulasan, the 14th typhoon of the year, made its second landfall in Shanghai after initially striking Zhejiang Province.

Heavy rainfall was recorded across parts of the city, with two weather stations reporting over 300 millimeters (almost 1 foot) of rain in just six hours, setting new local records. In total, 151 out of 614 weather stations reported extreme rainfall, according to state-run Xinhua news agency. Streets and neighborhoods were flooded, though there have been no reports of major damage or casualties.

More than 112,000 residents were evacuated as authorities took preventive measures, suspending ferry and train services. The city’s flood control office reported that 649 ships were evacuated or returned to port, and 54 train services and 26 ferry services were halted.

Earlier in the week, Typhoon Bebinca caused significant damage, felling over 1,800 trees and leaving 30,000 homes without power. Over 400,000 people were evacuated before the storm hit. Scientists attribute the increased frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events to climate change, with China being a major emitter of greenhouse gases.