Storm alert lifted while gale alarm remains

Shanghai weather authority lifted a red storm rain alert at 11:50am today as rains across town eased obviously.

Meanwhile, a gale alert, issued early this morning, was also degraded but the warning remains in effect. Wind-proof precautions should be prepared, weathermen warned.

Cars are stranded on flooded roads after a heavy downpour this morning. Shanghai issued a red rain storm alert — the highest of a four-level warning system — this morning, when thunderstorms flooded roads in several districts.

A Metro station was flooded, Jinshan railway was seriously delayed and an amusement park was closed this morning as heavy rains and gale pounded the city under the lingering impact of Typhoon Fitow.

More than 50 roads and 600 households were flooded in the heavy rainfall this morning, according to vice director of Shanghai flood control headquarters, surnamed Zhang.

The rainfall in Songjiang District reached 300 millimeters, while most area of the city suffered torrential rain with precipitation over 100 millimeters, Zhang said.

An orange rain storm alert was upgraded to a red one at 7:38am today, the second time this year. A yellow gale alert was issued by the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau at 7:59pm.

Flights in the city's two airports, Hongqiao International Airport and Pudong International Airport are on schedule. However, air controllers expect delay at Pudong International Airport starting noon due to limited visibility in the downpour.

The Eastern Airlines cancelled seven flights to Japan and South Korea tomorrow, concerning the influence of Typhoon Danas.