City braced for rainstorms

A yellow rainstorm alert was issued at 4:30pm on Friday with downpours forecast to hit the city from Friday night because of typhoon Lekima.

Rainfall of 40 to 80 millimeters per hour is possible, according to the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau. 

A yellow typhoon alert remains in place. 

Lekima, the ninth typhoon this year, was about 425 kilometers southeast of Shanghai at 3pm, the bureau said. 

It is likely to make landfall near Wenling in neighboring Zhejiang Province at midnight on Friday, according to China's National Meteorological Center.

Under its influence, Shanghai will be hit by gales and downpours which will be at their worst between Friday night and Sunday morning.

The heaviest rainfall may reach more than 250 millimeters at some observatories. 

Residents are being advised to stay indoors and drivers are reminded to watch out for flooded roads. 

Many tourist attractions and parks will be closed. 

Shanghai Zoo in Changning District and Gongqing Forest Park in Yangpu District will close on Saturday, while Chenshan Botanical Garden in Songjiang District will be closed all weekend. 

Binjiang Forest Park in the Pudong New Area is closed on Saturday and Guangfulin Relics Park in Songjiang will close over the weekend. 

Zhujiajiao watertown in Qingpu District will not open on Saturday and all sightseeing boats are suspended. 

Sheshan National Forest Park in Songjiang closed at 3pm on Friday and will reopen when weather conditions permit. 

Jiabei Countryside Park in Jiading District is closed all weekend.