By Josh Peachey

Staying in Shanghai for Mid-Autumn Festival? You might have to reconsider any plans you’ve made for the holiday as twin typhoons Meranti and Malakas, set to hit Shanghai with relentless rainstorms, may spoil the party.

The focal point of Mid-Autumn Festival is, of course, the moon, but due to the predicted severe weather,  chances of seeing it over the weekend are not looking good. Transport delays are also likely.

According to the Central Meteorological Observatory, super-typhoon Meranti was 510km northwest of the Pacific Ocean in South East Hualien, Taiwan, at 2pm on Tuesday, September 13. The experts have said that it will probably be the strongest typhoon of year when it eventually lands in mainland China, and is also expected to wreak havoc in Guangdong.

Shanghai’s rainfall will start getting heavier in Shanghai from tomorrow onwards. The combined effect of periphery and a weak easterly flow of cold air means that the weather can waver between “heavy rain” to “rainstorm.”

Meranti’s wide reach will mean that there’s a high chance of weather-related disasters occurring in Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Jiangsu and Anhui as well. Recommendations have been made for these places to have enough staff to employed to ensure safe holiday traffic management.

Malakas, meanwhile, is currently classed as a strong typhoon, but is expected the be upgraded to super typhoon. It the 16th typhoon this year and is gradually nearing the east coast of Taiwan, according to the latest update.

Consequently, delays have been predicted to public transport routes. Specifically, the Shanghai D905 and D907 trains to Shenzhen and D931, D935 and D941 trains to Guangzhou may be affected.

Train stations will be monitoring typhoon weather updates closely and make timely adjustments to the schedules where necessary. For updates (in Chinese only), you can check the Shanghai Railway Station's website, or directly call customer service at 12306.

Traveling out of Shanghai for the holiday? Check real-time flight status for Hongqiao Airport here and Pudong International Airport here.

[Images via The Weather Channel, QQ]

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