Typhoon Haikui eases, affects 4 million in Zhejiang

 HANGZHOU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Typhoon Haikui had been downgraded to a severe tropical storm as of 4 p.m. Wednesday in east China's Zhejiang province, the provincial¹ flood control and draught² relief headquarters said.

Typhoon Haikui, which made landfall in Zhejiang at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, has affected³ more than 4 million people and caused economic losses of more than 10 billion yuan in the province, the headquarters said.

The center of Haikui, which was in Hangzhou at 5 p.m., will soon enter neighboring Anhui province, according to the headquarters.

Zhao Fayuan, an official with the headquarters, said that although Haikui has weakened, it will still bring heavy rains to central and northern Zhejiang.

The downpours will last for a long period, since Haikui is moving at a comparatively slow speed, Zhao said, adding that the province should be prepared for possible mountain torrents⁴, mudslides and urban flooding.

1 provincial   

adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人

参考例句：

• City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes.城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。
• Two leading cadres came down from the provincial capital yesterday.昨天从省里下来了两位领导干部。

2 draught   

n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计

参考例句：

• He emptied his glass at one draught.他将杯中物一饮而尽。
• It's a pity the room has no north window and you don't get a draught.可惜这房间没北窗，没有过堂风。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 torrents   

n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断

参考例句：

• The torrents scoured out a channel down the hill side. 急流沿着山腰冲刷出一条水沟。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Sudden rainstorms would bring the mountain torrents rushing down. 突然的暴雨会使山洪暴发。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》