Landslide from typhoon Gaemi remnants kills 12 in southern China
Continued heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Gaemi has caused a devastating landslide in Hunan province, killing 12 people and trapping 18 others, state media reported on Sunday. The landslide occurred near Hengyang city, with six survivors successfully rescued. The Hunan provincial authorities have issued a flood warning as torrential rains persist.
Although Gaemi, which was downgraded from a typhoon, has seen its cyclonic winds dissipate, significant flood risks remain across many parts of China. The storm’s remnants continue to threaten waterlogged cities with further downpours, according to weather forecasts.
In addition to the landslide tragedy, Gaemi has led to significant disruptions across the country. In Jilin province, two officials, including the deputy mayor of Linjiang city, went missing while involved in flood rescue efforts. Over 27,000 people in northeast China have been evacuated, and numerous factories have suspended operations.
The storm, which was the most powerful to hit China this year, initially struck coastal Fujian province on Friday with intense rains and winds before moving inland. Jilin province, which borders North Korea, has issued heightened warnings for potential heavy rains and flash floods. In response, Linjiang authorities have closed schools, factories, and businesses, cautioning that severe flooding may occur.
Rail services have been suspended in southern China’s Guangdong province and on Hainan Island. However, some passenger rail lines in Fujian and Jiangxi provinces have resumed operations as the storm progresses northward.
Gaemi, which also caused fatalities in Taiwan and exacerbated seasonal rains in the Philippines, has impacted nearly 630,000 people in Fujian, with almost half of them relocated, according to state news agency Xinhua.