Guangdong Meteorological Observatory reported that Typhoon “Hua Jiasha”, the 18th super typhoon of the year, made landfall on Yangjiang Hailing Island on September 24th with maximum near-center wind speeds reaching level 13. As a result, cities like Zhuhai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou experienced strong winds and heavy rain. Zhujian saw gusts of up to level 17 and experienced seawater surges. In Guangzhou, 15-meter tall trees were uprooted. Some people were trapped in a 72-story hotel in Shenzhen, witnessing waves rising on the sea.
According to the China Meteorological Administration, “Hua Jiasha” approached Guangdong with wind speeds exceeding level 17. This super typhoon, known as the “King of Winds”, is comparable in intensity to Typhoon “Rainbow” in 2015 and Typhoon “Mangkhut” in 2018.
On the morning of September 24th, Typhoon “Hua Jiasha” passed through the southern side of the Pearl River Estuary. Many areas in Guangdong experienced gusts of level 12 or above, with Zhuhai’s Meiwai Main Station recording gusts of level 17 on the north side of the typhoon’s center.
Reporters from Guangdong Southern Newspaper Media Group went to coastal areas to witness the typhoon first-hand. In the early morning of September 24th, Zhuhai entered the level 7 wind zone. Reporters heard the howling winds in their hotel rooms, being awakened by the sound of the wind. In the morning, reporters began a live broadcast along the famous Lover’s Road in Zhuhai. During the broadcast, their helmets were hit several times by debris floating in the air. Gusts pushed people along the road, uprooting trees and knocking down shared bicycles. Power poles and streetlights swayed, and large waves continuously surged on the coast.
The Yangcheng Evening News reported that on September 24th, Mr. Ding, who was on a business trip in Shenzhen, said that due to the city-wide “Five Stops” policy implemented on September 23rd, he was trapped in a hotel in Nanshan District.
“I can hear the wind intermittently, heavy rain is falling, and the hooks of the tower cranes hanging from the high construction buildings nearby can be seen swinging.”
Mr. Ding lives on the 72nd floor. On the morning of the 24th, he saw waves rising on the sea, with gray clouds mixed with wind and rain gradually approaching. By 10 o’clock, the rain and fog intensified, making it difficult to see the opposite Chuncai and Talent Park clearly.
“At around 10 o’clock on the 23rd, I went to the 66th floor and could hear the sound of the wind howling clearly. The viewing area was closed off, sandbags were placed, and the glass was covered with crisscross-shaped adhesive tape. Through the gaps in the ventilation window, I could feel the wind blowing intermittently, and when the wind was strong, the glass door would sway slightly,” Mr. Ding said.
Ms. Lin, who was also on a business trip in Shenzhen, was also trapped in a hotel a few kilometers away. She said, “I live on the 47th floor, and this morning around 8 o’clock, heavy rain is falling, and I can hear the wind intermittently.”
Ms. Lin expressed concerns that the typhoon would affect her return flight, so she has been closely monitoring whether the flight can take off as scheduled. The video she provided showed the view outside the 47th-floor window of the hotel covered in misty gray, with the sound of rain patter.
On September 24th, several netizens posted videos showing the phenomenon of seawater surging in Zhuhai due to the typhoon’s impact. The footage depicted strong winds and large waves flooding multiple streets. One netizen said that the water level rose rapidly, with vehicles parked on the roadside submerged within ten minutes.
Zhuhai officials confirmed that seawater surges occurred in some coastal areas.
Under the influence of super typhoon “Hua Jiasha”, many trees fell and obstructed traffic in various parts of Guangzhou. A 15-meter tall tree was uprooted.
In Guangzhou, authorities have issued a “Five Stops” notice (stopping classes, work, production, transportation, and business). Except for emergency response and people’s livelihood support units, the entire city is implementing the “Five Stops” policy.
First Financial reported that around 7 p.m. on the 23rd, most pork, chicken, and vegetables in many meat and vegetable supermarkets in Guangzhou had been sold out, leaving only chillies, with long queues at the checkout counters. Some fresh chain supermarkets in communities, such as “Qian Mama”, have ceased operations.