Tropical Storm Pulasan is advancing toward Shanghai, three days after the strongest typhoon in 75 years brought the Chinese financial hub to a standstill. The storm, which grazed southern Japan early on Thursday (19 September), triggered landslide warnings in Okinawa, the largest island in the southern Japanese archipelago. As it continues to move northwest toward China, Pulasan is packing maximum sustained winds of approximately 46 miles per hour, according to the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Though not yet classified as a hurricane, the storm remains a significant concern due to its size and projected rainfall.
Forecasters expect Pulasan to make landfall near Shanghai late on Thursday (19 September) or early Friday (20 September), with predictions of strong winds and intense rainfall—up to two inches per hour in some areas. The city of Shanghai, home to around 25 million people, could experience widespread flooding, and local authorities have issued severe weather warnings.
China’s National Meteorological Observatory raised alerts on Thursday (19 September), with officials particularly concerned about the potential for floods and landslides. Several local forecast offices in the Shanghai area echoed these warnings, advising residents to prepare for possible evacuations in vulnerable regions.
Pulasan’s future trajectory is somewhat uncertain. While some models predict that it could dissipate after striking eastern China, others suggest the storm may boomerang back into the East China Sea, where it could move along the southern coast of South Korea before potentially nearing one of Japan’s main islands. Authorities in the region are keeping a close watch on the storm’s movements, with contingency plans in place for its possible return to sea.
In Japan, where Pulasan had already caused minor disruptions, Okinawa experienced heavy rains and heightened risks of landslides, although no major damage was reported as of Thursday (19 September). Residents were warned to remain vigilant as weather conditions continue to fluctuate.
Pulasan’s slow movement has increased concerns about prolonged rainfall, which could exacerbate flooding risks in both Japan and China. Experts caution that the storm’s impact could still evolve, depending on whether it gains strength before making landfall in China or after re-entering the sea.
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