Flooding in southern China claims 39 lives amid tropical storm
Authorities in southern China said Thursday that 39 people died in flooding after a tropical storm dumped heavy rainfall, as Taiwan and China’s east coast prepared for a typhoon expected to make landfall in the coming days, reports BritPanorama.
Most of the deaths were in Hengzhou, where the partial collapse of a reservoir dam sent torrents of water into the city and claimed 26 lives, said Ding Wei, the vice mayor of Nanning city, which has jurisdiction over the area. Nine people remain missing in the broader Guangxi region.
Tropical Storm Maysak brought record rainfall to Guangxi starting Saturday, breaching reservoirs and stranding people in homes and other buildings. The previously announced death toll on Tuesday was six people.
A second storm, Typhoon Bavi, is at sea and forecast to pass just north of Taiwan, bringing heavy rain to the island of 23 million people, and make landfall in Zhejiang or Fujian province on Saturday.
Heavier-than-expected rain battered southern Guangxi for days, with cumulative rainfall of 4 to 16 inches in some areas and more than 35 inches in hard-hit regions, according to the national meteorological center. Rescue teams were still bringing out more than 10,000 students and teachers trapped in schools Thursday in the city of Guigang, northeast of Hengzhou. Furthermore, animals were also stranded or swept away by the rising floodwaters.
A zoo in Guigang reported that more than 100 animals are missing, including two zebras, four porcupines, and dozens of tropical birds. In Hengzhou, residents have been advised on how to deal with snakes reportedly spotted following the flooding, which led authorities to stock up on antivenom.
Meanwhile, an animal shelter operator in Binyang country struggled to rescue about 200 cats and dozens of dogs, navigating strong currents to save the animals. Drones and approximately 5,700 boats have been deployed in a massive relief and rescue operation, with rescuers combating stiff currents and debris to reach those affected. Around 130,000 people have been evacuated.
Ding indicated that while the floodwaters are receding, more rain is expected in some areas over the next two days. Efforts are underway to clear mud and debris and to disinfect several towns in Hengzhou. Road repairs are ongoing, and electricity has been restored to more than 60,000 homes.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing challenges in recovery and relief efforts as communities begin to assess the extensive damage wrought by the storm.
