Typhoon Mujigae hits China; more than ten thousand evacuated

BEIJING: Tens of thousands of people were evacuated and 500 tourists stranded today as typhoon Mujigae, the 22nd typhoon of the year, hit China's western Guangdong Province with heavy rain and winds toppling vehicles.

The typhoon, bringing gales and downpour, made the land fall in the coastal city of Zhanjiang this afternoon, packing winds of up to 50 meters per second, officials said.

It is forecast to move northwest at a speed of about 20 km per hour and arrive in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in evening. Storms are predicted to last until tomorrow in west Guangdong and the Pearl River delta.

Close to 200,000 people in southern China were evacuated before Typhoon Mujigae roared into Guangdong province, officials said.

Guangdong's flood control and drought relief headquarters elevated its typhoon emergency response to the highest level.

Maritime safety authorities of Zhanjiang told state-run Xinhua news agency that some vessels were stranded at sea, while no casualties have been reported.

State television showed several parked cars topped and windscreens damaged due to heavy winds.

More than 500 tourists were stranded on Fangji Island, a popular scenic spot administered by Maoming City, the news agency said.

Authorities began evacuating tourists from the island yesterday but the operation was interrupted by strong winds. The remaining tourists were taken to hotels for free accommodation. Water, power supply and telecommunications at the hotels are unaffected.

More than 130 emergency workers and a 12 police officers are caring for the tourists.

Fangji, meanwhile, has called off all entertainment activities at sea and tightened inspections on dangerous areas.

Over 340,000 people were evacuated, and train and flight services suspended as Typhoon Dujuan hit east China's Fujian province on Tuesday.