Building Facade Flies Off Like Paper... Damage Situation from Typhoon 'Bebinca' Hitting China

The Most Powerful Typhoon to Hit Shanghai in 75 Years
Windows, Building Structures, and Roofs Blown Away Entirely

Typhoon No. 13 'Bebinca' swept through Shanghai, China, prompting the evacuation of more than 400,000 residents. On various social media platforms (SNS), videos and images have circulated showing entire building facades and glass windows being blown away by Bebinca.

Due to the impact of Typhoon No. 13 'BEBINCA', the exterior walls of buildings are being torn off like sheets of paper. [Image source=X (formerly Twitter)]

On the 16th (local time), foreign media including the AP reported that Bebinca made landfall in Shanghai, China's economic capital, around 7:30 a.m. At that time, the central pressure of the typhoon was 955 hPa (hectopascal), with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 42 m/s. Some local media reported that Bebinca was the most powerful typhoon to pass through Shanghai in 75 years since 'Gloria' in 1949. Gloria's landfall reportedly resulted in over 1,600 deaths.

Due to the impact of Typhoon No. 13 'Bebinca', the exterior walls of buildings are being torn off like sheets of paper. [Image source=X (formerly Twitter)]

The unprecedented power of Bebinca has been shared widely not only on local SNS such as Weibo but also on X (formerly Twitter). Scenes captured include building facades fluttering away like sheets of paper, glass windows being blown off by strong winds and shattering other windows as they fell, and entire roofs being torn off. Uprooted street trees and damaged street structures were also observed.

China Central Television (CCTV) broadcast footage of a reporter struggling to maintain balance against the fierce winds during a live report.

Due to the impact of Typhoon No. 13 'Bebinca', a glass window was completely torn off, damaging another window and falling down. [Image source=Ex (X, formerly Twitter)]

In addition, more than 570 passenger trains and over 1,400 flights departing from Pudong and Hongqiao airports were canceled. Reuters reported, "With the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday (September 15-17) underway, many people's travel plans have been disrupted." The New York Times (NYT) noted, "The typhoon occurring during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday could hinder the consumption that Chinese people desperately needed amid the economic downturn."

As Bebinca reached Shanghai, a megacity with a population exceeding 25 million, damages quickly accumulated. Over 400,000 residents were evacuated, and more than 10,000 trees fell across Shanghai. The number of deployed rescue personnel reached 56,000. However, specific figures on casualties and property damage have not yet been compiled. Earlier this month, Typhoon No. 11 Yagi struck southern China, causing 4 deaths and 95 injuries. The economic loss to Haikou City in Hainan Province from that typhoon was estimated at 26.324 billion yuan (approximately 4.95 trillion won).

Due to the impact of Typhoon No. 13 'Bebinca', building structures are being damaged and blown away by strong winds. [Image source=Ex (X, formerly Twitter)]

As Bebinca moves inland, it is weakening into a tropical storm but is still expected to bring heavy rainfall to inland areas. Some regions are forecasted to receive over 60 mm of rain per hour.

Meanwhile, Typhoon No. 14 'Pulasan,' which formed near Guam last night, is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang Province around the 19th, raising concerns. Chinese authorities have deployed more than 60,000 rescue personnel to prepare for this.