Severe Tropical Storm Bilis roared into Fujian yesterday, forcing the evacuation of half a million people, after killing dozens in the Philippines and Taiwan.
The storm landed near Xiapu county in southern Fujian at 12.50pm, the provincial flood control authorities said.
The local government evacuated more than 256,000 residents, mostly aquaculture farmers and fishing families, from their coastal homes overnight, Xinhua reported. About 42,000 fishing boats were also ordered to return to harbour.
In neighbouring Zhejiang province , 260,000 people had to be moved from low-lying areas to safety. Zhejiang recorded winds of 120km/h and more over the sea and 65km/h to 120km/h on land.
The storm tore through Fujian and headed northwest to Jiangxi province last night with winds of up to 108km/h near its centre, Xinhua said.
'Bilis continues to move in a northwesterly direction and to weaken,' an official from the flood control office said.
