The first of two typhoons to strike mainland China this week arrived yesterday in Guangdong, bringing gales and torrential rains that closed schools, caused property damage, and disrupted transportation networks.

Packing winds traveling at 35 meters per second, typhoon Linfa made landfall near the City of Shantou at the eastern side of Guangdong Province yesterday at noon.

Although the National Meteorological Center had warned Linfa would have a “serious impact” on South China, emergency measures were dropped once it was was downgraded to a tropical storm two hours later. As Linfa continues to moves westward through the province, it is expected to lose strength.

However, thousands of residents had already been evacuated from coastal areas. More than 10 thousand ships were forced back to port in five cities to wait out the storm. A yellow alert established on Wednesday closed kindergartens, elementary and middle schools in 15 counties.

No injuries or deaths have been reported so far. As of 10pm yesterday, 1.6 million Guangdong residents had been affected by the typhoon, the tenth of the year.

One of the worst-hit cities, Jieyang, experienced flooding along with toppled utility poles and trees. The city’s airport canceled 53 flights, stranding 5,000 passengers. High-speed rail service between Xiamen and Shenzhen was also suspended.

Guangzhou has also experienced harsh weather conditions, particularly in Tianhe and Yuexiu districts.

Meanwhile, a second typhoon is expected to hit the eastern coastal areas of Fujian, Zhejiang, and Shanghai tonight, with warnings that this typhoon may be more destructive than Linfa.

With typhoon Chan-hom now upgraded to “super typhoon” status with its winds recorded at 187 kilometers per hour, local jurisdictions lying in the path of the typhoon have been placed on the highest alert possible.

Dong Lin of the China’s Central Meteorological Observatory says typhoon Chan-hom is much stronger than typhoon Linfa, adding that it may bring more rain.

Local authorities have already initiated emergency measures. Sixty-six trains on the Hangzhou-Shenzhen line were suspended yesterday, with another 14 scheduled to be stopped today and tomorrow.

Nangka, a third typhoon that appeared the same time as Linfa and Chan-hom, is expected not to approach China.

Here are some more photographs of typhoon Linfa’s impact: