Zhuhai Typhoon Wipha, China Footage: Unbelievable Storm!

Typhoon Weifa, the sixth named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, made a dramatic landfall along the southern coast of China on Sunday evening, unleashing torrential rains, hurricane-force winds, and widespread disruption across major cities, including Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai. The storm, which had intensified to the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane, struck near Taishan City in Guangdong Province at approximately 5.50 p.m. local time. Packing sustained winds of up to 106 miles per hour, 170 kilometers per hour, and gusts exceeding 167 kilometers per hour, Weifa battered coastal infrastructure, uprooted trees, and triggered flash floods in low-lying areas. Hong Kong issued its highest tropical cyclone warning, Signal No. 10, for the first time since 2023, as Weifa's eyewall passed just south of the city around midday. The storm dumped over 110 millimeters of rain within three hours, flooding streets and damaging scaffolding across urban districts. More than 470 trees were reported down, and 26 people were treated for storm-related injuries. Public transport ground to a halt, ferries were suspended amid high sea swells, and the airport express train service was temporarily shut down. Cathay Pacific Airways canceled all flights between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m., while Hong Kong International Airport rescheduled over 400 flights, affecting nearly 80,000 travelers. In neighboring Macau, authorities downgraded the typhoon signal from 10 to 8 later in the evening but warned of flooding in the city's inner harbor. At least 200 flights were canceled at Macau International Airport, and public shelters were opened to accommodate displaced residents. Zhuhai City, located near the storm's landfall zone, activated a Level 1 emergency response, the highest on China's four-tier system. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge was closed, and outbound customs clearance was suspended as winds intensified. Schools, businesses, and public transportation were shut down across the region. In Jiangmen and Haikou, vehicles navigated flooded streets while emergency crews worked to clear debris and maintain drainage systems. Over 440,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable coastal and inland areas across Guangdong province. China's National Observatory issued a yellow alert for Typhoon Weifa, warning of continued rainfall and strong winds through Monday. In Shenzhen, 929 emergency shelters were activated, and inspection teams were deployed to monitor construction sites, hazardous slopes, and aging buildings. Water affairs departments opened manhole covers to facilitate drainage, while power companies stationed repair vehicles in key areas to respond to outages. Vegetable reserves were mobilized to ensure food supply in case of prolonged disruption. Weifa's trajectory took it westward across the South China Sea, with meteorologists predicting a second landfall in Vietnam later in the week. The storm had earlier passed over the Philippines, intensifying seasonal monsoon rains and causing flooding and landslides that affected over 370,000 people, including 43,000 evacuees. In Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, ferry services to Weizhou Island were suspended, and authorities upgraded their emergency response to Level 3. Torrential rains are expected to continue through Tuesday, raising concerns about landslides and river overflow. Despite the storm's ferocity, early warnings and coordinated evacuations helped minimize casualties. In Hong Kong alone, 253 people sought refuge in public shelters, and emergency services responded swiftly to reports of injuries and structural damage. Local officials praised the public's cooperation and the effectiveness of disaster preparedness protocols. Compared to previous typhoons like Mankhut and Hado, the impact this time was primarily limited to fallen trees and collapsed scaffolding, said Eastern District Councillor Kenny Yuen. As Typhoon Weifa continues its westward journey, authorities across Southeast Asia remain on high alert. The storm's passage has reignited discussions about climate resilience, urban infrastructure, and the need for adaptive strategies in the face of increasingly volatile weather patterns. Typhoon Weifa, which roared ashore on Sunday afternoon, has left a swath of destruction across southern China, particularly in the provinces of Guangdong and Hainan. With sustained winds reaching up to 130 km per hour and gusts exceeding 160 km per hour, the storm battered coastal cities, crippled infrastructure, and displaced thousands of residents. In Hong Kong, the storm's eyewall passed just south of the city, triggering the T-10 hurricane alert, the highest level of warning. The city recorded over 471 fallen trees and scaffolding collapsed from high-rise buildings in North Point, scattering debris across major roads. A construction site suffered extensive damage, with cranes twisted and materials strewn across the harbourfront. Zhuhai, located near the storm's landfall zone, activated a Level 1 emergency response. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge was shut down, and outbound customs clearance was suspended. Streets were inundated, and vehicles were seen stranded or overturned by floodwaters and fallen trees. In Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, drainage systems were overwhelmed. Emergency crews opened manhole covers to facilitate water flow, but several neighbourhoods reported knee-deep flooding. Power outages affected multiple districts, and repair teams were dispatched to restore electricity. The economic toll is expected to be significant, with early estimates suggesting hundreds of millions of yuan in damages to infrastructure and commerce. Emergency services worked around the clock to clear roads, restore power, and provide food and water to displaced families. The storm's heavy rainfall, over 110 millimetres in just three hours, triggered flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions. Rivers swelled dangerously, and authorities issued warnings for potential overflow in the Pearl River Delta. Coastal erosion was reported along beaches in Zhuhai and Yangjiang, with seawalls damaged by waves reaching up to 8.8 metres, 29 feet. Wildlife habitats in mangrove forests and wetlands were also affected, with reports of displaced bird colonies and damaged coral beds near the coast. Meanwhile, the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory issued a white typhoon warning on July 18th, escalating to higher alerts as the storm approached. By Saturday night, gusts reached level 12, with coastal areas like Demeixia and Dapeng Bay experiencing wind speeds up to level 14, equivalent to hurricane-force winds. Heavy thunderstorms battered the city, triggering localized flooding in low-lying neighborhoods and along riverbanks. Streets in Nanshan and Fujian districts were submerged. Shenzhen-Bowen International Airport was severely affected, with flight delays and cancellations continuing throughout the weekend. Passengers were advised to monitor updates, as dozens of departures were postponed due to poor visibility and wind hazards. Public parks and recreational areas, including Demeixia Seaside Park, were closed indefinitely. Ferry services across Shenzhen Bay were suspended, and high-speed rail connections to neighbouring cities were halted as a precaution. The storm caused minor landslides in hilly regions and structural collapses in coastal zones. Emergency crews responded to reports of fallen trees, damaged signage, and broken power lines. In Luohu District, a construction scaffold collapsed onto a parked vehicle, though no injuries were reported. Fishing communities reported damage to boats and aquaculture facilities, while mangrove ecosystems suffered from saltwater intrusion and debris accumulation. Environmental officials warned of ozone pollution due to stagnant air masses following the storm, and advised residents to limit outdoor activity until conditions improved. In Halong Bay, a tourist boat carrying 45 passengers capsized amid towering waves and violent winds. 34 people were confirmed dead, including several children, while 11 were rescued by Navy divers and emergency responders. Search operations continue for missing individuals, with helicopters and rescue vessels combing the area. The Haifeng-Guangning coastline experienced a storm surge of up to one metre, with total sea levels reaching five metres, inundating low-lying fishing villages and river mouths. Over 1,657 vessels were ordered to safe anchorages, and 9,900 aquaculture cages were secured to prevent loss. In Tanhoa and Ne'ean, rivers overflowed, submerging roads and farmland. Rainfall totals exceeded 600 millimetres in some areas, with landslides reported in mountainous districts. Authorities in Haifeng inspected 180 aging apartment blocks, tagging 59 as Grade D, the highest risk level for structural failure. Urban trees were chopped and reinforced to prevent collapse, but several still fell, damaging vehicles and power lines. Power outages affected over 40,000 households, and emergency crews worked overnight to restore electricity. Roads in Hanoi, including Padre Fora and Kirinaw Avenue, were flooded, forcing commuters to wade through waist-deep water. Passenger boat departures were suspended across Quang Ninh province, and Cat Ba Island saw the evacuation of 16,000 tourists, including 2,500 foreigners. Airports in Hanoi and Haiphong cancelled dozens of flights, and rail services were halted due to track flooding. Evacuation plans were activated across 114 communes, with thousands relocated to temporary shelters. Emergency teams distributed food, water, and medical supplies to affected families. Mangrove forests and coral beds along the Gulf of Tonkin suffered severe damage from saltwater intrusion and debris. Agricultural losses are still being assessed, but early reports indicate thousands of hectares of rice paddies and shrimp farms were destroyed. Meteorologists warned that Uyghur's slow movement over land increased its destructive potential, with saturated ground raising the risk of further landslides and building collapses. What kind of wind is this? It's too dangerous, too dangerous.