Bracing for a deadly storm...

Residents in Shenzhen taped windows in preparation
for the storm (Reuters photo)

International News Service journalist Samantha Tan had least expected that she would be bracing for the possibility of a deadly typhoon when she left for China yesterday.

Together with eight other Malaysian journalists, Samantha arrived in Shenzhen yesterday afternoon for an eight-day visit programme organized by the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The delegation is accompanied by an embassy official to facilitate the trip covering three provinces in China namely Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Beijing until Sept 22.

Samantha reported that their programme today was disrupted in the wake of the super typhoon, known as Typhoon Mangkhut which was likely to hit the port city in Guangdong province later this evening.

The delegation was initially scheduled to visit the Shekou Free Trade Area and Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data but the programme was cancelled by the organisers for safety reason.

This followed the safety precaution issued by the Shenzhen Municipal Government, requiring all companies and schools to stop their operations.

Heavy downpours and strong winds in the morning also indicated that the super typhoon is nearing, prompting most people to stay indoor.

“I feel excited initially because this is the first time I am experiencing it.

“But later I feel bit anxious because seeing how the locals prepared for the storm.

“They had stocked up water and food, and sealed ‘X’ with tapes on their window glasses,” she said.

She said the Malaysian group members were just mingling around in the hotel as they were advised not to go out.

“Last night, we also stocked up some snacks just in case,” she said.

“I guess I'm lucky enough to be a Malaysian…so peaceful, no disaster,” said Samantha who once served as Bernama correspondent in China.

The delegation was scheduled to travel to Hangzhou on Sept 18 and Beijing on Sept 20 before returning to Kuala Lumpur two days later.

Reuters reported that the super typhoon swirled past Hong Kong on Sunday, barrelling towards the Chinese coast and gaining strength over the South China Sea after it wreaked havoc in the Philippines and killed at least 29 people.

It was expected to skirt 100 km south of Hong Kong and veer west towards the coast of China's southern Guangdong province and Macau.

Shenzhen is one of the most populous cities in China. It is situated in Guangdong Province adjacent to Hong Kong.