Shanghai canceled several passenger ferries yesterday and ordered flood control and construction authorities to prepare for heavy rain and brisk winds as Tropical Storm Kaemi rolled into the mainland's southern coast.

The wet weather is expected to sweep the city through at least tomorrow, with daily temperatures running between 27 and 31 degrees Celsius.

Passenger ships from Shanghai's Luchao and Wusong ports to Shengsi, Putuo Mountain, and Dinghai in Zhejiang Province were suspended yesterday and were not expected to resume until tomorrow or Friday.

At Baoyang Port, smaller ferries bound for Chongming Island were canceled and will not operate until the weather improves.

Flights from Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport were running normally last night.

Shanghai Flood Control Headquarters yesterday ordered all drainage authorities to keep workers on call around the clock to deal with possible flooding.

Flood officials also ordered all government departments to make sure billboards, decorative lighting, scaffolding and telecommunications poles are secured.

Shanghai's two manmade beach resorts took measures to prevent their sand from being blown away by the storm. Twenty to 30 pipes were laid on Golden Beach in Fengxian District to spray water to stabilize the sand.

"We had a rehearsal last week, and the effect was impressive," said Miao Yiwei, general manager of Shanghai Baystar Leisure and Entertainment Co.

Forty sprinklers were set up on City Beach in Jinshan District, and covers were used in other areas.

The Jinshan Coastline Development Management Committee urged vendors to withdraw from the beach and warned it will close the area if the storm becomes too strong.

Both beaches suffered sand losses about two weeks ago when Tropical Storm Bilis hit the city.

(Shanghai Daily July 26, 2006)