BEIJING, July 9. /TASS/. Chinese authorities have evacuated more than 420,000 people in the Fujian Province, which suffers from the Nepartak typhoon, Xinhua reported on Saturday.
"Typhoon Nepartak has inflicted huge damage after making landfall on Saturday afternoon in east China's Fujian Province," the news agency said. "According to the local weather bureau, the first typhoon of the season landed at 1:45 p.m. in Shishi City, packing winds of up to about 100 km per hour. An incomplete estimation showed more than 420,000 people in four cities, including the provincial capital of Fuzhou, have been urgently relocated."
"Five airports have been closed, resulting in the cancellation of nearly 400 flights. A total of 341 high-speed trains have also been canceled, sand almost 5,000 buses," Xinhua said. "More than 33,000 fishing boats are taking shelter in port. Air-passenger services and passenger ships to Taiwan across strait have all been suspended. Power supply is out in some remote areas."
"A red rainstorm alert was issued in Putian City, which experienced more than 250 millimeters of precipitation in four hours early this morning. Forty-three people in a residential area were rescued by firefighters after floodwaters submersed two buildings. Many buildings have collapsed and landslides were reported in rural and mountainous areas," the news agency wrote. "Over 22,600 people are checking the city's water projects, local flood control headquarters said. Typhoon Nepartak made first landfall early on Friday in eastern Taiwan, packing winds of up to 190 km per hour, gusting up to 234 km per hour."
Nepartak is the first typhoon in Asia this season. Its name means "warrior" in Micronesian.