Typhoon Megi lashed Zhejiang Province with torrential rain and high winds yesterday as the region was struggling to recover from a powerful storm that killed at least 164 people last week.

No deaths or injuries were immediately reported as Megi brushed across coastal areas, 380 kilometers south of Shanghai.

Winds were reported between 51 kph and 116 kph in northern and middle section's of Zhejiang's coastline.

Torrential rain and landslides caused by Megi killed six people in Japan yesterday.

Megi was moving inland early Wednesday, but shifted direction to the northeast. The change carried Megi away from Shanghai as it moved back out to sea, according to information from the Zhejiang provincial weather station.

Megi was moving toward South Korea late last night.

Megi was the 16th typhoon to hit China's eastern coast this season and the second to affect Shanghai.

Despite Megi's direction change, it still affected Shanghai's weather Wednesday.

Wind speeds increased to Force 5 or 6, 22 kph to 27 kph, in downtown areas. In coastal areas it reached Force 10.

But only suburban Nanhui and Songjiang districts reported rainfall.

Yesterday's high temperature dropped to 29.3 degrees Celsius - the first time this month it was below 30 degrees.

Today's high was forecast to reach 32 degrees with the low expected to dip to 27 degrees. Daily highs for the next three days will be around 33 degrees, according to the Shanghai weather bureau.

The cooler weather reduced power consumption in the city. The peak load yesterday was slightly above 12 million kilowatts, a drop of 2 million kilowatts from previous days.

Meanwhile, Megi also influenced shipping in Yangshan Deep Water Port yesterday, according to the maritime safety administration.

Ferries heading from Luchao Harbor in Yangshan waters to Putuo Mountain and Shengsi in Zhejiang were delayed due to the storm as wind speeds reached Force 10 yesterday afternoon, officials said.

Zhejiang was battered by Typhoon Rananim on August 12, the most powerful typhoon to strike China since 1956.

In addition to the 164 confirmed deaths, another 40 people are reported to be still missing in Zhejiang amid toppled houses and ripped-up farm fields.

Damage was estimated at 16.4 billion yuan (US$2 billion).

Sanitation workers cleaning up after last week's deadly typhoon have buried more than 1 million chickens and tens of thousands of ducks killed by the winds and rain.

The move was among sanitation measures ordered by authorities in Zhejiang after Typhoon Rananim blew through the area.

Agriculture and animal husbandry was especially hard hit, and by Tuesday, 1.55 million chickens and 190,000 ducks had been buried in lime pits.

(Shanghai Daily August 19, 2004)