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Authorities in southern China said on Thursday that 39 people have died in flooding caused by Tropical Storm Maysak, as Taiwan and China’s east coast brace for another powerful storm expected to make landfall in the coming days.
Most of the deaths were linked to a dam failure in an area east of the city of Nanning, which killed 26 people, the city’s vice mayor Ding Wei said at a briefing.
Nine people remain missing in the Guangxi region.
Maysak brought record rainfall to Guangxi starting Saturday, bursting reservoirs and forcing people inside homes and other buildings for days. Earlier it was reported that the death toll was six people.
Typhoon Bavi is forecast to pass north of Taiwan, bringing heavy rain to the island of 23 million people, before making landfall in Zhejiang or Fujian province on Saturday.
Rescuers evacuate stranded teachers and students at Xijiang Education Park after Tropical Storm Maysak in Guigang city on Wednesday. (Zhou Hua/Xinhua/Associated Press)
Taiwan authorities have urged residents to stock up on food and prepare for what could be the most powerful typhoon to hit the island in years.
Streams of water
Heavy rain fell in southern Guangxi for several days, with cumulative rainfall amounts ranging from 10 to 40 centimeters in some areas and more than 90 centimeters in the worst-hit areas, the national meteorological center said.
Reservoir breaks sent floods of water into cities and towns.
Taiwan authorities have urged residents to stock up on food and prepare for what could be the most powerful typhoon to hit the island in years. Pictured above: Fishing boats are guarded at Shenao Harbor in New Taipai City on Thursday. (I-Hwa Cheng/AFP/Getty Images)
Drones and some 5,700 boats have been used in a massive relief and rescue operation for people trapped in the water, with rescuers battling strong currents and debris to reach people. About 130,000 people were evacuated.
Dean said floodwaters were receding, but more rain was expected in some areas over the next two days. Crews were sent to clear mud and debris and disinfect several towns in the hard-hit city of Hengzhou, which lies east of Nanning and falls under its jurisdiction.
Road repairs continue and power has been restored to more than 60,000 homes, Dean said.