Khaberni - The Chinese authorities intend to cancel flights and close stores today, Saturday, as Typhoon Matmo approaches Hainan and Guangdong provinces in the south, during a period witnessing a significant surge in travel owing to the National Holiday.
It is expected that Typhoon Matmo will make landfall on Sunday morning, according to the National Meteorological Center of China, amid an 8-day official holiday during which many tourists visit the tropical island of Hainan.
The official news agency (Xinhua) reported that all flights at Milan International Airport in Haikou, the capital of Hainan, are expected to be canceled starting at 23:00 on Saturday (1500 GMT).
Hainan Airport was scheduled to receive more than 632,000 travelers between the first and eighth of October during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, according to the operating group.
Additionally, the city of Haikou plans to suspend schooling, public transport, and construction work starting Saturday, and force shops to close.
The provinces of Hainan and Guangdong have tightened their emergency plans for typhoons and the authorities have warned of potential sudden floods and landslides due to heavy rain and strong winds.
Many train journeys have also been canceled, and fishing boats have been ordered to return to port.
Heavy rainfall is expected in Yunnan province and the Guangxi region in southern China.
It is anticipated that Typhoon Matmo will bring winds reaching speeds of up to 160 km per hour before gradually weakening after making landfall, as reported by the National Meteorological Center on Saturday.
