Key facts
- Typhoon Maysak caused rapid flooding in Guangxi province, submerging homes and displacing tens of thousands.
- At least four deaths were reported in Guangxi due to the floods.
- Rare tornadoes in Hubei province, hundreds of kilometers away, killed 11 people and damaged thousands of homes.
- President Xi Jinping has ordered extensive rescue and relief operations.
- Record rainfall in Inner Mongolia and Fushun city also led to fatalities and severe flooding.
Typhoon Maysak has unleashed devastating floods and rare tornadoes across China, leading to significant loss of life and widespread displacement. In the southern province of Guangxi, the typhoon caused rivers to swell and dam walls to break, leading to rapid and severe flooding that submerged homes and forced tens of thousands to evacuate. Residents described the water rising with alarming speed, leaving them little time to escape. At least four people have died in Guangxi, with many still trapped on rooftops and running low on supplies.
Hundreds of kilometers away in the central province of Hubei, the typhoon's impact manifested as thunderstorms and at least two tornadoes. These rare twisters caused havoc, killing 11 people and damaging thousands of homes. Meteorologists attributed the tornadoes to the collision of cold air from the north with warm air brought by the typhoon. Videos circulating on social media showed the destructive power of the winds, with one report detailing a man being blown out of his high-rise apartment.
President Xi Jinping has ordered "all out" rescue and relief operations, emphasizing the importance of treating the injured, resettling affected residents, and carrying out disaster prevention effectively. Beyond Guangxi and Hubei, other regions have also experienced extreme weather. Flash floods in Inner Mongolia and record rainfall in Fushun city have resulted in additional fatalities. Concerns have also been raised about the presence of snakes in the floodwaters, posing an additional hazard to affected communities.