As Typhoon Chanthu approaches China's east coast, authorities in Shanghai and other provinces have canceled flights and rail services and sent children home from school.
Shanghai was predicted to be struck by the storm on Monday morning, with winds of more than 170 kilometers per hour (105 miles per hour) near its eye.
According to meteorologists, the storm, which was downgraded from a super typhoon to a strong typhoon on Sunday evening, is forecast to decrease wind intensity as it approaches Shanghai.
Coastal areas, however, were predicted to be hit by strong gusts and heavy rain.
According to the official Xinhua news service, the province of Zhejiang, near Shanghai, upped its emergency response to the highest level ahead of the storm's arrival, closing schools and suspending flights and rail services in certain cities.
Flash flood warnings were also issued in nine districts in Zhejiang.
After Shanghai, Ningbo, China's second-largest container port, halted operations at noon on Sunday (04:00 GMT). Following typhoon In-Fa in late July and a COVID-19-related terminal closure in mid-August, the port had just reopened after a weeks-long port closure.
On Monday, all flights at Shanghai's larger Pudong International Airport were canceled starting at 11 a.m. local time (03:00 GMT). In comparison, flights from the smaller Hongqiao airport in the city's west were set to be canceled starting at 3 p.m. (07:00 GMT), according to the Shanghai government's official WeChat account.
Container import and export services at Shanghai port terminals were also halted on Monday till further notice.
According to the city, some lines serving the city's southern areas have been suspended, and parks, outdoor tourist sites, and playgrounds will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
On Monday afternoon and Tuesday, classes were also scheduled to be canceled.
In some southeastern Jiangsu provinces, Shanghai, and northeastern Zhejiang areas, official forecasts predicted 250-280mm (9.4-11 inches).
Over the weekend, a typhoon hit Taiwan's east coast, interrupting transportation and creating minor power disruptions but causing little damage overall.
