1.24 million evacuated as Matsa approaches
By Shao Xiaoyi (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-06 07:14

HANGZHOU: More than 1.24 million people were evacuated to safety yesterday in East China's Zhejiang Province, as Typhoon Matsa is expected to batter the area after wreaking havoc in Taiwan.

The typhoon may land on the coast of Wenling city this morning, packing sustained winds of 144 kph.

Chinese soldiers help evacuate local residents from their submerged houses in Shuitou township of Wenzhou city in eastern China's Zhejiang province July 20, 2005. [newsphoto]

About 36,000 boats have returned to harbour.

Local authorities have been urged to lower water levels in reservoirs to prevent floods, said Wang Shucheng, minister of water resources and a top official of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The typhoon is expected to bring about massive rains and cause heavy floods, he said.

Because many dams of reservoirs have been soaked in recent downpours, he called on local officials to prepare for emergencies.

In Hangzhou, the provincial capital, officials issued an emergency warning, saying Matsa could be stronger than Typhoon Rananim, which caused 164 deaths and damages totalling 18.1 billion yuan (US$2.23 billion) last year.

Ningbo Port, the country's second largest in terms of handling capacity, was closed on Friday, said Zhang Yiyao, a spokesman with the port.

Bus services between the coastal city of Taizhou and Hangzhou have also been suspended.

Local residents have been warned to keep away from the Qiantang River as the typhoon could cause tidal waves in Hangzhou Bay.

Hangzhou residents rushed to supermarkets to buy candles, flashlights and bottled water.

Tang Xin, a retired worker, said: "It is always better to prepare for the worst, so if there are blackouts and no water supply, we can survive."

Matsa, named after a Laotian fish, dumped torrential rains in northern Taiwan earlier on Friday, shutting down financial markets and grounding several international flights.

Matsa's fringe brought heavy rains to northern Taiwan, swelling rivers and flooding low-lying areas, the island's central weather bureau said.

In northern Hsinchu, 1,118 millimetres of rain fell over the past 24 hours, the bureau said on its website.

Rock slides damaged roads and bridges in some mountainous areas, leaving villagers isolated.

Financial markets, government offices, and many stores in northern Taiwan closed on Friday.

Agencies contributed to the report

(China Daily 08/06/2005 page1)

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