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Asia-Pacific
China escapes major storm damage
Typhoon kills nine, but casualties and damage far less than had been feared.
Last Modified: 20 Sep 2007 07:11 GMT

More than two million were evacuated as the storm neared China's eastern coast [Reuters]

The authorities in China say nine people have been killed and at least three remain missing after Typhoon Wipha hit the country's east coast.
 
The storm brought with it strong winds and torrential rains, causing landslides in several areas, although damage and casualties were far less than originally feared.

Reports said that among the dead five people were killed in landslides and another two were electrocuted as they tried to weatherproof their homes.

 

Preliminary estimates put the damage at around $638m, although that was likely to rise, officials said.

The typhoon, which was quickly downgraded to a tropical storm after it made landfall on Wednesday, had sparked a widespread alert amid warnings it could be one of the most powerful storms to hit the country in recent years.

 

More than two million people were evacuated from at-risk coastal areas in Shanghai and neighbouring provinces as the storm approached.

 

In Shanghai itself, schools and transport links were closed, flights were cancelled, ships were ordered back to port, and several sporting events were cancelled.

 

But the financial capital managed to escape major damage and by Thursday life had returned to normal in the city.

 

As of Thursday morning Wipha had left the Chinese mainland and was forecast to pass over the Yellow sea towards the Korean peninsula.

 

Some reports suggested it may hit North Korea, which was hit by devastating floods last month, killing hundreds and wiping out large tracts of farmland.
Source:
Agencies
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