Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    SCHOOLS, workplaces, businesses and markets will be closed Friday as Shenzhen initiated Level I response system — the highest level of its four-tier warning system — Thursday in anticipation of Typhoon Haima, which is expected to pass directly through the city.

    Flights will be grounded and train services suspended, according to a notice issued by the city’s flood prevention and disaster relief headquarters.

    Haima, the 22nd typhoon of the year, is expected to make landfall on eastern Dapeng Peninsula at around 2 p.m. Friday, according to the weather forecast Thursday night.

    All trains at Shenzhen North Railway Station and intercity trains between Shenzhen and Guangzhou will be halted.

    Long-distance trains, around 30 in total, which are scheduled to depart from Shenzhen North Railway Station, Shenzhen Railway Station and Shenzhen East Station after 12 p.m. Friday, will also be suspended. The canceled trains also include high-speed trains G79, G71, D901, D903, D909, and D927 from Beijing, and G531 from Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province to Shenzhen.

    Haima was 590 kilometers southeast of Shenzhen at 4 p.m. Thursday.

    The local meteorological observatory estimated that torrential rain and Grade-12 winds (at speeds of 32.7-36.9 meters per second) will lash the city Friday and Saturday morning. The observatory issued a yellow warning at 6 p.m. Thursday.

    Ma Xingrui, Shenzhen Party chief, is requiring relevant departments to be on high alert against disasters. Construction sites in the city were ordered to halt construction work Thursday evening and parks have been closed.

    Shelters are open today to offer food, beds and hot water for homeless people.

    “We have sent employees and social workers to persuade beggars and vagrants to take shelter at our aid centers, and those who need help can call 12349,” said Guo Ming, deputy head of Shenzhen Aid Center. Some schools will open as temporary shelters for those who need help.

    Shekou Ferry Terminal has suspended ferry services to Hong Kong, Macao and Zhuhai.

    By 8 p.m., the Shenzhen airport had decided to cancel 187 flights in and out of Shenzhen on Friday and Saturday, warning more cancellations could happen.

    Shenzhen Metro said Thursday that it would consider whether to close elevated bridge sections of the Metro network Friday.

    The sections in question are those between Hourui Station and Airport East Station of Line 1, Shuibei and Shuanglong Station of Line 3, Shenzhen North Station and Tanglang Station of Line 5, and Airport Station and Bitou Station of Line 11. The company advised the public to remain up to date on weather information through an app, WeChat, microblog and notices from the Metro company.