Authorities in the southern region of China reported on Thursday that 39 individuals lost their lives due to flooding caused by tropical storm Maysak. Meanwhile, Taiwan and the eastern coast of China are preparing for another significant storm that is expected to hit in the upcoming days. The majority of the fatalities resulted from a dam breach east of Nanning, where 26 individuals perished. Nine individuals are still missing in the wider Guangxi area.
Tropical storm Maysak brought unprecedented levels of rainfall to Guangxi since Saturday, leading to the overflow of reservoirs and leaving people stranded in residences and other structures for several days. The initial death toll of six individuals has now increased to 39. Typhoon Bavi is anticipated to skirt north of Taiwan, bringing intense rainfall to the island with a population of 23 million before making landfall in either Zhejiang or Fujian province by Saturday.
In light of the approaching storm, Taiwanese authorities have advised residents to stock up on essentials and brace for potentially the most potent typhoon to hit the island in recent years. Heavy rainfall, ranging from 10 to 40 centimeters in some regions and exceeding 90 centimeters in severely impacted areas, relentlessly battered southern Guangxi. The breaches in reservoirs unleashed torrents of water into urban areas.
The rescue efforts have been extensive, utilizing drones and around 5,700 boats to assist those trapped by the floodwaters. Approximately 130,000 individuals have been evacuated, with rescuers contending with strong currents and debris to reach those in need. Although the floodwaters are subsiding, further rainfall is predicted in certain areas over the next 48 hours. Cleanup operations are in progress, focusing on removing mud and debris while disinfecting several towns in Hengzhou city, which falls under Nanning’s jurisdiction. Road restorations are underway, and electricity has been reinstated in over 60,000 households as per Ding, the city’s vice mayor.
