Heavy rains leave 30 fatalities, 35 missing people in China’s Zixing
Image credit: CGTN (stillshot)
Remnants of Typhoon “Gaemi” have wreaked havoc in Zixing City, Hunan Province, central China, causing 30 fatalities and leaving 35 missing since July 26, 2024. Efforts to restore roads, electricity, and communications continue as search and rescue teams scour the area.
Heavy rains and storms associated with remnants of Typhoon “Gaemi” have caused 30 deaths, with 35 people still missing in Zixing City, Hunan Province, central China, as of 12:00 LT on August 1.
Roads, electricity, and communications have been largely restored in the eight most affected townships of Zixing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing as officials work to locate the missing individuals, according to the city’s flood control and drought relief headquarters.
Zixing has experienced record rainfall since July 26, with one location recording 24-hour rainfall exceeding 645 mm (25.3 inches).
Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited flood-affected villages in Zixing, urging intensified efforts to find those still missing. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that Tropical Storm Gaemi made landfall in China at typhoon strength late last week, causing days of torrential rain.
In another part of Hunan province, a mudslide triggered by the heavy rains claimed 15 lives on July 28. State broadcaster CCTV showed footage of helicopters being used to deliver relief supplies to severely flooded areas earlier this week.
The death toll in Hunan province has reached 48, including three bodies found on July 29 in Chenzhou city, believed to be victims of a mudslide. The extreme weather has affected nearly 90 000 people, damaging approximately 1 400 homes and disrupting about 1 300 roads, according to the People’s Daily.
Gaemi made landfall in Fujian Province on July 24, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), forcing the evacuation of 290 000 people.
References:
1 30 dead, 35 missing after typhoon-induced rains in central China city – Xinhua – August 1, 2024
2 Death toll jumps to 30, with 35 others missing, in an area hit by heavy rains in southeastern China – ABC – August 1, 2024
3 Remnants of Typhoon Gaemi leave 30 dead in China’s Hunan, CCTV reports – Reuters – August 1, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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