Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

As of midday Aug 27, Zhuhai has restored almost all access to power, water, transportation, and communications after being hit by two typhoons, one after the other, Hato on Aug 23 and Pakhar on Aug 27.

The strongest typhoon in more than 53 years to hit Zhuhai, Hato made landfall in Jinwan District at 12:50 pm with gales of 45 m per second at its eye. It then brought winds ranging from 12 to 14 on the Beaufort Scale.

An emergency worker uses a chainsaw to cut thick branches before they can be removed. 

Just four days later, the 14th typhoon of the year, Pakhar, landed at around 9 am in the city of Taishan, which is located behind the island of Hainan some 80 km west of Zhuhai.

The double strikes caused havoc, structural and property damage, port closures, and travel delays, but thanks to the timely help of emergency services, relief from out-of-town areas and volunteers, the city is recovering with an unbelievable speed.

Maintenance personnel repair water pipes around the clock.

Citizens were particularly amazed at how fast the public transportation resumed operation – only two hours after the landfall of the Pakhar. Authorities credited this to Zhuhai being united as one and making concerted and tireless efforts.

Ferocious downpours and gusts had resulted in serious damage to infrastructure. To deal with it, Zhuhai Water Group and Power Supply Bureau worked around the clock and were joined by four water supply bureaus and 16 power supply bureaus from across Guangdong Province. Restoration tasks were nearly completed as of the morning on Aug 27.

In addition, many residents took the initiative to clear roads nearby with the help of property management companies. The process involved more than 13,700 people from 1,150 Party units.

Zhuhai is still in the process of rebuilding, with the help of seven firefighting divisions dispatched by Guangdong firefighting corps.

Emergency workers repair damaged high-voltage power equipment after the typhoons. [Photos courtesy Zhuhai Daily]