Nearly two million people have been evacuated from eastern China's Zhejiang province as a powerful typhoon makes landfall, with the city of Wenzhou on the path of the storm. Overnight, authorities relocated 1.8 million residents from the region's coastal areas to higher ground, in a bid to avoid catastrophic damage and loss of life. The city of Wenzhou, with a population of over 9 million, is now on high alert as Typhoon Haiping brings gusts of up to 200km/h (124mph) and heavy rainfall, according to the BBC Weather Centre.
China Scrambles to Evacuate Nearly Two Million as Typhoon Haiping Makes Landfall
As the storm made landfall on Saturday morning, residents of Wenzhou took to social media to share harrowing accounts of the evacuation process.
'The roads were gridlocked, and many residents were left waiting for hours in the pouring rain,' said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. 'Our building was evacuated at dawn, and we were forced to leave behind all our belongings. It's a nightmare.'
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Rising concerns about the weather have prompted authorities to scramble to evacuate nearly two million residents from the region's coastal areas. The National Meteorological Centre upgraded Typhoon Haiping to a Category 3 storm, with sustained winds of up to 180km/h (112mph) and heavy rainfall expected throughout the day. 'The situation is severe, and we urge everyone to take necessary precautions,' said a government spokesperson. 
What happened next?
As Typhoon Haiping begins to move inland, residents are left to wonder what will happen next. With the city of Wenzhou on high alert, residents are advised to remain indoors and follow evacuation instructions. The situation remains under close monitoring by local authorities.
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