Typhoon Haikui eases, affects 4m in Zhejiang

HANGZHOU - Typhoon Haikui had been downgraded to a severe tropical storm as of 4 pm Wednesday in East China's Zhejiang province, the provincial flood control and draught relief headquarters said.

Typhoon Haikui, which made landfall in Zhejiang at 3:20 am Wednesday, has affected more than 4 million people and caused economic losses of more than 10 billion yuan in the province, the headquarters said.

The center of Haikui, which was in Hangzhou at 5 pm, will soon enter neighboring Anhui province, according to the headquarters.

Zhao Fayuan, an official with the headquarters, said that although Haikui has weakened, it will still bring heavy rains to central and northern Zhejiang.

The downpours will last for a long period, since Haikui is moving at a comparatively slow speed, Zhao said, adding that the province should be prepared for possible mountain torrents, mudslides and urban flooding.