Chinese authorities have cancelled flights, rail services and ordered business closures as Typhoon Matmo heads for the southern provinces of Hainan and Guangdong during the peak National Day holiday travel period.
The storm is expected to make landfall on Sunday morning, according to the National Meteorological Centre (NMC), with winds reaching up to 160 km/h (100 mph). Authorities warned of heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides across southern provinces, including Yunnan and Guangxi.
All flights at Meilan International Airport in Haikou, Hainan’s capital, will be suspended from 11 p.m. (1500 GMT) Saturday, state media reported. The airport was projected to handle more than 632,000 passengers between Oct. 1-8 for the combined National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays.
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Haikou authorities also announced the suspension of schools, public transport and construction projects, while businesses have been ordered shut. Fishing boats have been recalled to port and emergency typhoon alerts upgraded in both Hainan and Guangdong.
The NMC said Matmo would gradually weaken after landfall.
