China: Typhoon Bebinca, strongest storm since 1949, makes landfall in Shanghai; flights grounded, rail services suspended, highways closed (VIDEO)

Typhoon Bebinca landed in Shanghai on Monday as a Category 1 storm, making it the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the Chinese financial center in over 70 years.

Bebinca packed top wind speeds of 151 kilometers per hour (roughly 94 miles per hour) near its eye as it landed in the coastal Pudong district of Shanghai around 7:30 am (1:30 am CET).

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Typhoon #bebinca in Shanghai.

Hopefully should be over in a few hours. pic.twitter.com/yoD4WqAbrl

— Magnus Leine (@Gattos98) September 16, 2024 >

A red alert was issued and some coastal areas have been evacuated, city authorities reported.

All flights at Shanghai's two main airports were grounded as the typhoon dumped torrential rains on the city.

All highways have been closed and a 40 kilometer per hour speed limit was put into place on roads inside the city.

Some rail services were also suspended at Shanghai railway station.

The city's 25 million people have been advised to stay indoors. 

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A wall was torn off a building in #Shanghai as #TyphoonBebinca sweeps through the city. pic.twitter.com/m6pUdfikEx

— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) September 16, 2024 >

Strong typhoons rarely strike Shanghai and usually make landfall further south in China.

Bebinca is the strongest storm to hit the city since Typhoon Gloria in 1949, according to state media.