The 'deadly' typhoon Megi that was threatening to hit Guangzhou, the host city of next month's Asian Games, has changed its course and turned east, and the Chinese officials are heaving a sigh of relief.
Guangzhou, located on the banks of River Pearl, is hosting the 16th Asian Games from November 12 to November 27, and preparations are in full swing for the mega event.
Weather officials said Megi changed its course and has turned towards east, thus indicating it would spare the Games city.
The threat posed by Megi to Guangzhou city and the facilities of the upcoming Asian Games appeared to ease as it turned east on Thursday, Games officials said.
In view of the threat posed by the typhoon, all of 66 venues for the Asian Games have launched emergency plans, deploying 3,000 people for emergency needs, officials told Xinhua news agency.
Apart from typhoon Megi, huge tides were also expected to hit the mouth of the Pearl River in the city. "The mixture of the two powers will be considerably strong" to deal with, an official with the Ocean Bureau of Guangzhou said.
According to the latest weather forecast, the water level at the mouth of Pearl River will rise by about 50cm, exceeding the alert water level. "But we are well prepared for the worst, Asian Games will be held on time and in good quality," the official said.
{{/usCountry}}According to the latest weather forecast, the water level at the mouth of Pearl River will rise by about 50cm, exceeding the alert water level. "But we are well prepared for the worst, Asian Games will be held on time and in good quality," the official said.
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