Authorities in the southern region of China reported on Thursday that 39 individuals have lost their lives due to flooding caused by tropical storm Maysak. Meanwhile, Taiwan and the east coast of China are preparing for another significant storm set to hit in the upcoming days. The majority of the fatalities resulted from a dam breach east of Nanning, where 26 individuals perished, according to Ding Wei, the vice mayor of the city. Nine individuals are still unaccounted for in the broader Guangxi region.
Maysak brought unprecedented levels of rainfall to Guangxi since last Saturday, resulting in reservoir breaches and leaving people stranded in their residences for days. The initial death toll had been reported as six individuals. Typhoon Bavi is anticipated to pass just north of Taiwan, bringing heavy rainfall to the island’s population of 23 million before making landfall in either Zhejiang or Fujian province on Saturday.
Officials in Taiwan have advised residents to stock up on essentials and prepare for what could potentially be the most potent typhoon to hit the island in recent years. Southern Guangxi experienced heavy rainfall for an extended period, with certain areas receiving between 10 to 40 centimeters of rain and over 90 centimeters in severely affected regions, as per the national meteorological center.
The breach of reservoirs led to torrents of water inundating towns and cities, prompting a large-scale relief and rescue operation involving drones and approximately 5,700 boats to reach individuals trapped by the flooding. Despite the challenges posed by strong currents and debris, rescuers have been working diligently to assist those in need, with around 130,000 people evacuated to safety.
While the floodwaters are subsiding, additional rainfall is anticipated in certain areas over the next two days. Efforts are underway to clear mud and debris, as well as sanitize several towns in the heavily impacted city of Hengzhou, located east of Nanning. Ongoing road repairs and the restoration of electricity to over 60,000 households are also being prioritized, according to Ding.