Typhoon Conson hits Yalong Bay of Sanya with packing winds of 126kph

Killer Typhoon Conson lands at Yalong Bay of Sanya, Hainan Island,

China’s most famous beach resort city, killing at least 2 

HAIKOU, July 16 (Xinhua) — Typhoon Conson landed at Yalong Bay of Sanya City, in south China’s island province of Hainan, late Friday, causing casualties.

Conson made landfall at 7:50 p.m., packing winds of up to 126 km per hour at the center, according to the disaster prevention office of Sanya, a tourist resort.

It brought heavy rains and strong winds to Sanya, uprooting trees, pulling down billboards and light poles and partly cutting power supply.

A security guard was buried in debris after a giant billboard toppled at about 7:26 p.m.. The man was found dead at about 11 p.m. after rescuers pulled away the billboard with the help of machines.

A motorcycle rider was hit by a falling billboard and died at the site at about 8 p.m..

The typhoon is expected to hover in the island for about 9 hours before it enters Beibu Bay on Saturday morning.

The city had recalled to port all fishing boats by Friday noon and almost 40,000 people across the island had been relocated by 4:30 p.m..

The typhoon, the first to hit China this year, has triggered high waves and cut some village roads.

The authorities began halting shipping services and flights in Hainan Thursday.

Conson also brought downpours and gales to the coastal province of Guangdong in southern China. Rainstorms are expected to pelt part of Guangdong in two days.

Conson left at least 39 people dead in the Philippines.

SOURCE:  http://news.xinhuanet.com