Sunday, September 15, 2024 Typhoon Bebinca, locally known as Beibijia, has brought massive travel disruptions across China, particularly during the bustling Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. As the typhoon approaches the Yangtze River Delta, major flight cancellations and delays have occurred, leaving thousands of travelers stranded at airports and further complicating travel plans for millions. According to FlightAware , the storm has forced widespread flight cancellations and delays at major airports: The cancellations have come at a critical time, as China’s national railway operator estimated that over 74 million passengers would travel during the holiday.
The Ministry of Transport reported that 195 million people had already begun cross-regional travel as of Sept. 14, marking a 42% increase from the previous year. However, with flights grounded and rail services suspended, many holidaymakers have found their travel plans in disarray.
Affected airlines, including Shanghai Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, have been forced to cancel hundreds of flights, further intensifying the travel chaos across the country. Widespread Disruptions in Shanghai and Surrounding Regions In preparation for the storm, Shanghai activated its top-level emergency response on Sunday, suspending railways, closing major highways, and shutting down ports. Personnel at Yangshan Deepwater Port were evacuated by Sunday evening, and over 9,300 residents from Chongming District w.