Typhoon Tapah, the 16th typhoon of the year, struck south China’s Guangdong Province on Monday morning, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread disruptions. The storm made landfall in Taishan, a county-level city in Jiangmen, at around 8:50 a.m., with maximum winds reaching up to 30 meters per second, according to the Guangdong meteorological observatory.

The powerful typhoon prompted the evacuation of more than 41,000 residents in Jiangmen to safer areas. In Taishan alone, classes were suspended for around 120,000 students across 182 schools and kindergartens. Authorities deployed 43 volunteer sea rescue teams, 30 vessels, and more than 3,300 emergency personnel to handle potential emergencies.

Neighboring Yangjiang City opened emergency shelters for residents, while coastal areas braced for storm surges and flooding. The meteorological bureau forecast that Tapah would continue moving northwest at about 20 km per hour while gradually weakening.

In Hong Kong, the Observatory issued a No. 8 Southeast Gale or Storm Signal late Sunday, maintaining it until at least 1 p.m. Monday. This is the third-highest warning under the city’s five-tier typhoon alert system. The storm forced the cancellation of around 100 flights, and major amusement parks and clinics remained closed. Authorities also prepared flood barriers and mobilized emergency response teams to prevent damage.

While Tapah has moved inland after landfall in Guangdong, Hong Kong officials warned residents to stay alert for rainstorms, strong waves, and residual winds. The storm’s impact highlights the region’s ongoing vulnerability to tropical cyclones during peak typhoon season.