Typhoon Haikui slams into southern coast

Typhoon Haikui — the 11th typhoon to hit the Chinese coast this year — struck Fujian and Guangdong provinces with a rage on Tuesday, forcing the suspension of all passenger trains in and out of Fuzhou city, Fujian on Wednesday.

All primary and secondary schools and kindergartens were also suspended on Wednesday.

Government departments in Fuzhou urged residents and tourists to stay indoors unless it's absolutely necessary to go out.

According to China Railway Nanchang Group, suspended passenger train services include hundreds operating from Fuzhou Railway Station and Fuzhou South Railway Station. They were suspended to ensure passenger safety after Fuzhou issued a red typhoon alert on Tuesday night — the highest level of a four-tier warning system.

Passengers can get refunds for their tickets within a month, or wait until services resume, the railway authority said.

Fuzhou, Putian and other coastal cities have been battered by heavy rains and strong winds since Tuesday, when the typhoon made landfall twice in southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong.

In Putian, large areas of flooding were reported in multiple areas, with many residents stranded after the city had experienced heavy downpours on Tuesday night, the local fire and rescue department said.

As of 8 am on Wednesday, rescue personnel in Putian had evacuated and relocated 185 people after receiving 53 call for rescue from residents.