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Calm Pingtan lies around the eye of typhoon

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2014-07-24

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It turns out that Matmo, the 10th typhoon to hit the Chinese mainland this year, has been mild in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone in Fujian province.

Calm Pingtan lies around the eye of typhoon
Typhoon Matmo’s wind triggers big waves in waters off Pingtan, July 23. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

The force-11 typhoon, which made landfall in neighboring Fuqing county on Wednesday afternoon and entered Jiangxi province, did not produce strong gales and heavy rain as expected.

The result is that Pingtan was around the eye of the typhoon, where the weather is normally calm because the air sinks rather than rises, explained Gao Chengliang, director of the local meteorological bureau.

To add to Pingtan’s fortune, the precipitation brought by Matmo can relieve the recent drought in Pingtan, and is good for preparation of summer harvesting and sowing, he added.

Although the typhoon is moving away from Pingtan, a weakened impact is not guaranteed, as the storm cycle could still cause gales on Thursday, Gao said.

Authorities in Pingtan have implemented a series of protective measures against the typhoon since early Tuesday. Residents in low-lying areas or temporary houses were evacuated to safer places, and fishing activities were halted, with boats returning to ports.

Officials also inspected many work sites, water conservancy facilities and some public locations vulnerable to wind and rain disasters.

On Wednesday morning, Li Dejin, director of PCPZ’s administrative committee, arrived at the local flood and drought prevention headquarters to direct work. He and other government officials also went to counties and villages to inspect typhoon prevention measures.