Typhoon Haikui struck China on Wednesday prompting officials to evacuate nearly 2 million people and grounding hundreds of flights to and from Shanghai and other cities.

Haikui landed in Hepu Township, Xiangshan County in central Zhejiang at 3:20 a.m local time, with a maximum wind speed of 150 km per hour.

Provincial authorities have evacuated 1.5 million people in preparation for the storm, as it is expected to remain in the province for 24 hours, before moving to neighboring Anhui Province.