Typhoon Bebinca, a rare Category 1 storm, made an unprecedented landfall in Shanghai early September 16, becoming the most powerful typhoon to strike the city in over 70 years.

With wind speeds reaching  a maximum151 kph (94 mph) near its centre, Bebinca hit the financial hub at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time, making it the strongest storm to directly impact Shanghai since Typhoon Gloria in 1949, as reported by the Reuters news agency.

Shanghai is typically spared from the full force of typhoons, which usually make landfall further south between Fujian and Hong Kong. 

Last week, Typhoon Yagi, a more destructive Category 4 storm, battered southern Hainan province before moving on to cause death and destruction in northern Vietnam. However, Bebinca’s direct hit on Shanghai, a city of nearly 25mn residents, is a significant meteorological event.

The impact of Typhoon Bebinca has been swift and severe. Hundreds of flights were cancelled at Shanghai's two major airports starting Sunday night, and rail services from Shanghai railway station have been suspended. These disruptions have coincided with China’s three-day Mid-Autumn Festival public holiday, exacerbating the challenges for travellers and residents alike.

In response to the typhoon, several popular resorts in Shanghai, including Shanghai Disney Resort, Jinjiang Amusement Park, and Shanghai Wild Animal Park, have temporarily closed. Additionally, many ferry services have been halted due to the adverse weather conditions.

The rare intensity and timing of Typhoon Bebinca underscores the increasing vulnerability of major Chinese cities to severe weather events. As Shanghai grapples with the effects of this storm, the city's infrastructure and holiday activities face significant disruption, highlighting the broader impact of climate-related events on urban centres.