2023-09-01 13:12:41
Published on September 1, 2023 at 12:00
Hong Kong and Shenzhen, two of the most densely populated cities in the world, are in the crosshairs of a Category 4 supertyphoon. Tens of millions of residents are bracing for the worst. Forecast.
The equally active Pacific Basin
Earlier this week, Idalia hit Florida hard, along with other US states like Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Activity is just as intense in the Pacific Basin. Three storms formed almost simultaneously. Tropical Storm Kirogi, Typhoon Haikui and Supertyphoon Saola, which reached Category 4.
Tens of millions at risk
Saola is the most threatening. First of all, it has just reached category 4 on a scale of 5. We are therefore talking regarding sustained winds of more than 220 km/h, with gusts of 270 km/h. Then it will hit very densely populated urban centers this morning, including Hong Kong and Shenzhen. There are 7,125 people per square kilometer in Hong Kong. In comparison, in Canada, we are 4 inhabitants per square kilometer. A few kilometers away, the city of Shenzhen has nearly 18 million inhabitants, as many as New York.
Infrastructure put to the test
A tropical storm that hits Hong Kong is not that exceptional in itself. Even if there are nearly a hundred skyscrapers of more than 50 floors, they are built to resist very strong winds. But Saola is in a class by itself. In fact, it would be the most powerful typhoon to hit the region since 1949, nearly 75 years.
Torrential rains
It is the rain that will undoubtedly be the major problem. The drainage system is state-of-the-art in Hong Kong, but with expected rainfall of 400mm or more in some areas, the infrastructure is at risk of overflowing.
Taiwan prepares
We must also monitor Typhoon Hakui, which should reach category 3, a major typhoon. Early next week, it is expected to hit Taiwan, another heavily populated region.
With the collaboration of Nicolas Lessard, meteorologist.
SEE ALSO: The Weather Network: The devastation caused by Idalia in Florida
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