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October 7, 2007
Typhoon Krosa Hits China, One Million People Evacuated

Hangzhou (China)
Powerful Typhoon Krosa weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall in east China Sunday, forcing evacuation of more than a million people in provinces Zhejiang and Fujian.

It was downgraded to a tropical storm at 5 p.m. (Chinese time), when it was located at 27.3 degrees north latitude and 120.3 degrees east longitude, packing winds of about 108 km per hour at its eye, said Flood Prevention and Drought Relief departement in Zhejiang.

Krosa unleashed gale force winds and torrential rains in Zhejiang's Wenzhou city, swelling rivers, pulling down houses, cutting off power supplies, halting highway traffic and air services.

No casualties have been reported.

More than a million people were evacuated in the two provinces -- 837,000 for Zhejiang and 230,000 for Fujian, while schools, airports, expressways and shipping services in some areas have been shut down. Meanwhile, vessels have been recalled to harbour.

The tourism authorities in Zhejiang have closed almost all scenic spots along the coast, and evacuated more than 500,000 holidaymakers who had flocked to the seaside resorts for the weeklong holiday ending Sunday.

Also Sunday, rescuers were battling against strong winds and billows to tow a Hong Kong-registered cargo ship to harbour, which suffered mechanical failure after being hit by Krosa off the coast of Zhejiang's Wenzhou city.

Twenty-seven crewmembers were aboard the ship, Aladdin Dream, including sailors from Russia, India and the Philippines, rescuers said.

Krosa has left four dead, two missing and 52 injured in Taiwan, in addition to cutting off power supplies and halting highway and air traffic, according to Taiwan media reports.

Xinhua | October 7, 2007   

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