DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Disasters & Emergencies

Typhoon Haikui prompts subway speed limits, potential suspensions in Shanghai and Hangzhou

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Shanghai and Hangzhou are implementing speed restrictions or potential suspensions for their subway systems due to Typhoon Haikui.
  • The typhoon is expected to impact the regions from August 8th to 12th, with specific lines like Shanghai Metro's Line 3 and Pujiang Line already operating at reduced speeds.
  • Chinese netizens are expressing concern over safety, questioning why the subway systems are not fully suspended during the severe weather, advocating for work stoppages and holidays.

Shanghai and Hangzhou are bracing for the impact of Typhoon Haikui, with subway systems in both major Chinese cities implementing speed restrictions and considering potential suspensions. The typhoon is forecast to affect the regions from August 8th to 12th, prompting authorities to issue warnings and adjust public transportation services.

Shanghai Metro has announced that lines 3 and Pujiang Line will operate at reduced speeds across their entire routes starting today. Additionally, ground and elevated sections of several other lines, including Lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, and 17, as well as the Airport City Line, will also be subject to speed restrictions.

Hangzhou Metro has issued its own set of precautions, stating that subway operations will be managed according to relevant regulations between August 8th and 12th. These measures include closing station entrances if water levels reach a first-level alert, shutting down entire stations if fewer than two entrances remain accessible, halting all services if nearby water accumulation poses a risk of flooding into stations, and implementing speed restrictions or full suspensions based on wind force.

For safety reasons, it is best to suspend the subway.

— Chinese NetizenCommenters on social media expressed concerns about subway operations during Typhoon Haikui.

The typhoon's approach has sparked concern among Chinese netizens, many of whom are questioning the decision to continue subway operations. Online comments express a strong preference for full suspensions, citing safety concerns. Some users are also calling for official typhoon holidays, highlighting that China does not have a mandatory typhoon holiday system, and decisions on work and school closures are left to local governments and individual companies.

Despite the potential risks and public apprehension, the article notes that companies and operators ultimately decide whether to halt operations. This has led to frustration among some netizens who feel they may still be required to commute to work even if subway services are limited or suspended.

Why not suspend work?

— Chinese NetizenNetizens questioned the decision to continue subway operations and called for work stoppages during the typhoon.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog