BEIJING, China – Flooding triggered by days of torrential rain in southern China has killed at least 39 people, authorities said Thursday, as emergency crews continued rescue and recovery efforts while another powerful storm threatened the country’s eastern coast.
The deadliest damage occurred in Hengzhou, where the partial collapse of a reservoir dam unleashed floodwaters that killed 26 people, according to Ding Wei, vice mayor of Nanning, the city that administers the area. Nine people remain missing across the Guangxi region.
Officials said Tropical Storm Maysak brought record-breaking rainfall beginning Saturday, overwhelming reservoirs, inundating communities and leaving thousands stranded in homes, schools and other buildings. The updated death toll sharply increased from the six fatalities previously reported on Tuesday.
Rescue operations continue across flooded communities
Military rescue teams completed the evacuation of more than 10,000 students and teachers trapped in a group of schools in Guigang, about 60 kilometers northeast of Hengzhou.
State broadcaster CCTV showed students wearing orange life jackets boarding rescue boats as floodwaters surrounded school buildings.
Authorities said around 130,000 people have been evacuated across affected areas. Drones and approximately 5,700 boats have been deployed to deliver drinking water, food and emergency supplies while transporting stranded residents to safety.
Floodwaters have begun receding in some communities, although officials warned additional rainfall is forecast over the next two days. Cleanup crews are removing mud and debris, disinfecting flooded neighborhoods and repairing damaged roads, while electricity has been restored to more than 60,000 households, Ding said during a news briefing.
Flooding also disrupts wildlife and animal rescues
The disaster also affected animals across Guangxi.
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A zoo in Guigang reported that more than 100 animals were missing after floodwaters swept through the facility, including two zebras, four porcupines and dozens of tropical birds.
In Hengzhou, authorities warned residents about snakes believed to have escaped from a nearby farm, advising people on snakebite safety while increasing local supplies of antivenom.
Animal rescue efforts continued in neighboring Binyang County, where a shelter operator worked to save about 200 cats and dozens of dogs from rising floodwaters. Dogs were carried through deep water two at a time, while many cats climbed into roof rafters to escape the flooding.
Typhoon Bavi threatens eastern China and Taiwan
As southern China recovers from Maysak, attention has shifted to Typhoon Bavi, which is forecast to approach China’s eastern coast after passing near Taiwan and remote Japanese islands.
The storm, which earlier brought destructive winds to Saipan and other U.S. territories, weakened from super typhoon status on Thursday but continued to pack maximum sustained winds of 184 kilometers (114 miles) per hour, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.
Forecasters expect Bavi to make landfall Saturday in either Fujian or Zhejiang province.
Authorities in Taiwan prepared for heavy rain as fishing vessels crowded ports along the island’s northern coast. In the Philippines, officials suspended classes in several cities and municipalities, while ships were barred from departing northern ports as the storm tracked east of Luzon.
Severe weather affects wider region
China’s National Meteorological Center said parts of Guangxi received between 10 and 40 centimeters (4 to 16 inches) of rain over several days, with some of the hardest-hit locations recording more than 90 centimeters (35 inches).
Elsewhere in China, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes killed 11 people in Hubei province earlier this week, leaving many others homeless.
Across Asia, monsoon-triggered landslides killed at least 13 Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh, where authorities have begun relocating residents to safer areas as heavy rains continue.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
Article Topics: China Floods | Guangxi | Tropical Storm Maysak | Typhoon Bavi | Natural Disasters | Taiwan | Extreme Weather | Asia
