Typhoon Nesat Made Landfall in Eastern Hainan（在线收听）

Typhoon Nesat has now made landfall in Wenchang city in Hainan province, prompting some 58,000 people to evacuate in eastern Hainan and fishing boats to return to harbor in Guangdong and Guangxi. The typhoon also forced a series of suspensions in public services, transport, hospitals and schools in Hong Kong.

CRI's Zheng Chengguang has more.

 
Packing winds of 42 meters per second at its center, Typhoon Nesat has made landfall in the township of Wengtian in the island province of Hainan.

The city has evacuated over 57,000 people and recalled ships, suspended flight and ferry services and closed schools to brace for Nesat.

In addition, all kindergartens, primary and middle schools in Wenchang, Sanya, Qionghai and Hainan's capital of Haikou, have suspended classes for two days.

The China Meterological Administration has issued a red warning alert, saying Nesat has intensified into a strong Typhoon after gaining strength in the South China sea, and now is only hours away from southeast coast of the mainland.

Emergency measures are now in place in many cities to cope with Nesat's assault.

Liang Changnian from the Qinzhou Flood Control and Drought Relief Center in Guangxi Zhuang Autunomous Region says people safety comes the priority,

"We have ordered all the fishery departments in coastal townships to recall their ships and fishing boats by 12pm. All the fishermen have been asked to go immediately onshore to wait the storm out. Workers at the dams and sea walls are now at full alert against disasters in the nature of a mudslide or flood. In addition, mines and schools have been informed to send workers and students home, as a concentration of so many people together is potentially dangerous."

Earlier in the day, the Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 8 Southeast Gale or Storm Signal to inform all citizens of the onset of Nesat.

Malik Yusuf, a Hong Kong resident says the city is well prepared against Nesat's assault.

"The city certainly seems to be quite well prepared, almost everybody i know is informed at the time they come to work that they wouldn't have to work today as the storm signal given by the observatory in Hong Kong. And obviously the government does seem to have done a very good job informing people and letting them know the consequences of the Typhoon."

The city has also suspended the stock market. All courts, tribunals, court registries and offices are closed and the home Affairs Department has opened 11 temporary shelters in various districts for people in need of refuge during the passage of the typhoon.

Nesat has left at least 35 people dead and 45 others missing in the Philippines.

For CRI, I'm Zheng Chengguang.