150,000 evacuated in China due to typhoon threat
By IANSThursday, October 21, 2010
BEIJING - More than 150,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas in the path of typhoon “Megi” which is expected to hit China Saturday, officials said Thursday.
According to Fujian Provincial Meteorological Department, the typhoon is forecast to hit the east cost in Guangdong province, Xinhua reported.
Residents of Fujian province have been evacuated and over 53,000 fishing boats have been recalled to port, flood control authorities said.
Officials said the typhoon could cause huge waves that could devastate coastal areas, including Guangdong, Fujian and the Taiwan Strait.
“The storm surge could be so devastating that buildings, docks, villages and cities could be destroyed by it,” said Bai Yiping, director of South China Sea Forecasting Center of the State Oceanic Administration.
Megi is the 13th typhoon and possibly the strongest to hit China this year. Southern provinces, including Hainan, Guangdong, and Fujian, are bracing for heavy rains and strong winds.
