SHANGHAI: In an unprecedented turn of events, Shanghai is grappling with the aftermath of two typhoons in less than a week, as torrential rains inundated roads and neighborhoods on Friday, September 20. Residents witnessed record-breaking rainfall levels that have left parts of the city reeling and waterlogged.

Just days after Typhoon Bebinca—the most ferocious storm to hit Shanghai since 1949—caused significant devastation on Monday, Typhoon Pulasan struck on Thursday night, packing winds of up to 83 km/h, as confirmed by the state-run Xinhua news agency. The situation led to the evacuation of approximately 112,000 people, while key transport services, including ferries and trains, faced disruptions.

Social media buzzed with footage of residents navigating calf-deep waters, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Fortunately, no major injuries or fatalities have been reported so far, but the scene unfolded as over 300mm of rain fell within a mere six hours at two weather stations, marking the highest totals recorded in their respective districts.

In one viral video shared by state-run Shanghai Media Group, police officers in fluorescent coats helped push a stalled car through the flooded streets, while a determined scooter driver donned a poncho, trying to make his way across inundated intersections. Reports indicate that at least a dozen vehicles were rendered inoperable in some regions due to the rising waters.

Remarkably, many affected areas saw water receding and cleanup efforts underway by around 11 am, as an AFP reporter observed firsthand. Local authorities had already raised typhoon alert levels on Thursday as Pulasan approached, warning residents to remain vigilant.

Although forecasts suggest that the storm will lose strength as it continues to move inland, heavy downpours persisted throughout Friday morning. The unprecedented back-to-back storms have drawn attention to Shanghai's vulnerability amid changing climate patterns.

The earlier storm, Typhoon Bebinca, wreaked havoc by uprooting over 1,800 trees and leaving 30,000 households in the dark, with authorities forced to evacuate more than 400,000 residents in preparation for the disaster.

Experts emphasize that climate change, exacerbated by rampant greenhouse gas emissions, is leading to increasingly frequent and severe weather conditions worldwide. As the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China faces stark challenges, even as its per capita output remains comparatively lower than that of the United States, underscoring the complexities of global climate issues.

Stay tuned for real-time updates as Shanghai braves these extraordinary weather challenges!