Recently, the super typhoon Doksuri has approached with great intensity, prompting continuous red warnings from the China Meteorological Administration. Alongside this super typhoon comes extreme weather such as strong winds and heavy rainfall. To cope with the arrival of this super typhoon and protect the property safety of Tea farmers, please keep the following points in mind.
I. The Super Typhoon Doksuri is about to make landfall: a quick overview of domestic weather conditions
Strong Winds: According to the China Meteorological Administration, the fifth typhoon of the year, Doksuri (Super Typhoon level), is expected to make landfall along the coast from Fuqing, Fujian to Huilai, Guangdong tomorrow morning (July 28th). The maximum wind force near its center could reach up to level 15 (wind speed of 50 m/s). Affected by this typhoon, the coastal regions of Taiwan Island, Fujian, Zhejiang, and eastern Guangdong will experience strong winds ranging from levels 6 to 8 and gusts reaching levels 9 to 10 on July 27-28. Some areas in southern Fujian and the southern coastal regions of Taiwan Island may experience winds of level 9 to 12 and gusts of level 13 to 15.
Heavy Rainfall: On July 27-28, some regions of the southern and southwestern tea-producing areas will experience heavy rainfall. Heavy to torrential rain is expected in Taiwan Island, eastern Fujian, eastern Zhejiang, eastern Yunnan, central-western Guizhou, western Chongqing, Sichuan Basin, southeastern Gansu, and western Shaanxi. In particular, parts of Taiwan Island's east, eastern coastal regions of Zhejiang, western Guizhou, western Chongqing, and the Sichuan Basin are expected to experience extremely heavy rain. These regions may also experience short-term heavy precipitation (hourly rainfall of 30–60 mm, with some areas possibly exceeding 80 mm), and local thunderstorms with strong gusts.
II. What kind of harm can tea gardens suffer during a typhoon?
Strong winds can break tea tree branches or even uproot them. The first to bear the brunt of the strong winds brought by the typhoon are the tea trees. After being affected by strong winds, the new shoots on the crown surface of the tea trees may be damaged, leading to disorderly branches and a decrease in both the yield and quality of the current season's tea leaves. In severe cases, large numbers of branches may break off, and some trees may even be uprooted.
Heavy rain can wash away tea garden soil, causing water and soil loss in the tea garden. This can lead to the exposure of the tea tree roots, making the trees lose their support and prone to toppling over in strong winds. Furthermore, significant water and soil loss can cause mud and debris to flow into the tea garden. These pollutants might carry pathogens and cover the surface of the tea leaves, affecting the quality of the tea and reducing production. In more severe cases, due to heavy rain, landslides or mudslides may occur in tea gardens located on hills and mountains, destroying the tea gardens. Additionally, tea trees prefer moisture but fear waterlogging; heavy rains can easily cause excessive soil moisture, leading to wet damage, yellowing of young leaves, bud and leaf shrinkage and shedding, and slow or halted growth of the tea trees.
III. Act proactively and take measures to prevent flooding and reduce disaster risks in tea gardens
1. Precautionary Measures
Closely monitor weather forecasts and take preventive measures before the arrival of strong winds and heavy rains. Strengthen patrols of the tea garden, secure tea garden production equipment, and remove temporary sheds or trim roadside tree branches that pose significant risks in advance. Based on the geographical conditions of the tea garden, dig drainage ditches. For production materials stored in lower areas of the tea garden, they should be moved to a safe place in advance.
2. Trench Drainage
After heavy rain, if there is water accumulation in the tea garden, timely drainage is necessary. Dig temporary drainage ditches and clear and repair irrigation channels. For tea gardens with severe water accumulation, use pumps to remove water and quickly alleviate the problem of waterlogging in the tea garden.
3. Repair the Tea Garden
As soon as possible after the disaster, repair roads, dams, and other infrastructure in the tea garden to ensure the smooth passage of roads. For tea gardens affected by landslides, deep trenches for interception should be dug above them, protective vegetation replanted, and surrounding geological conditions carefully inspected to avoid unexpected incidents. Clear mud, stones, and other debris from the tea garden, rinse off the mud from the tea trees, and ensure the cleanliness of the leaf surfaces.
4. Shallow Cultivation and Soil Loosening
After heavy rain, the soil in the tea garden tends to become compacted, so shallow cultivation and soil loosening should be carried out as soon as the soil dries up after the rain. In addition, depending on the condition of the tea trees, a small amount of additional fertilizer can be applied to promote recovery and growth.
5. Restore Tree Vigor
After the disaster, fallen tea trees should be straightened as soon as possible, and exposed roots should be covered with soil to help restore vigor. At the same time, prune the tea trees according to the extent of damage, removing dead and broken branches.
6. Disease Control
After the tea garden is hit by heavy rain, it is susceptible to infection by foreign pathogens, so disinfection work should be done in the tea garden after the disaster. Regular inspections should be strengthened to detect problems early and treat them promptly.
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