Classes & Train Service Suspended, Typhoon Blue Alert Issued

Source: OT-Team(G), 澎湃新闻; 中央气象台

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) renewed a blue alert for Typhoon MITAG at 6 a.m. on September 19.

As of 5 a.m., the center of this year's 17th typhoon, MITAG (tropical storm category), was located over the northern South China Sea, about 160 kilometers southeast of Shanwei, Guangdong Province (21.5°N, 116.1°E). The storm packed maximum sustained winds of level 8 (20 m/s) near its center, with a minimum central pressure of 995 hPa. Its gale-force wind radius extended 160–360 km.

MITAG is expected to move northwest at 10–15 km/h, gradually strengthening. The storm is forecast to make landfall between Shanwei and Taishan in Guangdong on the night of September 19, with winds of 23–28 m/s (levels 9–10, tropical storm to severe tropical storm strength). After landfall, it will move westward and gradually weaken.

Forecasts

• Strong Winds (Sept 19, 8 a.m. – Sept 20, 8 a.m.):

Gale-force winds of level 6–7 (gusts 8–9) will affect the northern and eastern South China Sea, southern Taiwan coast, southern Fujian coast, and Guangdong coast. Some offshore areas of eastern and central Guangdong and the northeastern South China Sea may see winds of level 8–10, gusts 11–12.

• Heavy Rain (Sept 19, 8 a.m. – Sept 20, 8 a.m.):

Southeastern Fujian and central to eastern Guangdong will experience heavy to torrential rainfall. Parts of southeastern Guangdong may see extreme downpours of 250–300 mm.

School Closures in Guangdong

On September 18, multiple districts in Huizhou and other cities announced school suspensions due to the approaching storm.

• Huicheng District: Following an upgrade of the typhoon warning from blue to yellow, all schools (including vocational schools), kindergartens, and off-campus training centers closed on September 19.

• Huiyang District: All kindergartens and primary and secondary schools suspended classes.

• Huidong County: Schools, kindergartens, and training centers closed, with reopening dates pending further weather updates.

• Zhongkai High-Tech Zone: All schools, including senior high year three, suspended classes starting September 19.

• Daya Bay Development Zone: All schools, kindergartens, and training centers suspended for one day.

In Shanwei City, the education bureau announced at 5:30 p.m. on September 18 that all schools and training institutions would suspend classes on September 19, in line with upgraded warnings to yellow. Boarding schools were instructed to send students home safely and cancel all group activities.

Train Service Suspensions

To ensure passenger safety, China Railway Guangzhou Group has suspended multiple train services:

• Sept 19, 14:00–20:00: Beijing–Kowloon Railway section between Longchuan and Dongguan East suspended.

• Sept 19, 17:00 onward: All Hangzhou–Shenzhen High-Speed Railway services suspended.

• Sept 19, 18:00 onward: All Ningbo–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway services suspended. Both lines are expected to resume by 9 a.m. on September 20.

• Sept 20, 20:00 – Sept 21, 14:00: Beijing–Guangzhou Railway trains via Shaoguan East Station suspended.

To meet weekend travel demand, two additional train pairs will operate between Shenzhen North and Shantou via the Ganzhou–Shenzhen, Meilong, and Meishan high-speed railways starting September 19, 18:00.

Rail authorities reminded passengers that those affected by cancellations can apply for full refunds within 30 days of the original travel date via the 12306 website/app or ticket counters. No service fee will be charged.

Authorities said further train operations will be adjusted dynamically depending on rainfall and storm conditions.

Check the mini program below for real-time typhoon tracking.