Arrival of Typhoon "Gaemi" in China: 300,000 people must evacuate houses
In the neighboring province of Zhejiang, streets turned into rivers, and trees were scattered everywhere, as shown in images on state television CCTV. For the city of Wenzhou, with a population of nine million, the highest rain warning level was reportedly declared, and nearly 7,000 people were evacuated. According to state media, heavy rain was also expected in central provinces Jiangxi and Henan. In Guangdong, China's most populous province, train service was reportedly suspended on Friday in anticipation of the typhoon.
CCTV reported, citing the official Chinese meteorological authority, that the typhoon was moving northwest at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour, but was gradually weakening. So far, no deaths or injuries have been reported on the Chinese mainland due to the storm and its heavy rainfall.
"Gaemi" hit Taiwan on the evening of Wednesday (local time) with wind speeds of up to 190 kilometers per hour, causing significant damage. At least five people were reported killed by the strongest typhoon in eight years, with parts of the second-largest city in the island nation being flooded. Afterward, the storm moved towards China, where it reportedly made landfall on Thursday evening.
The Philippines were also affected by the typhoon's aftermath: Although the island nation was not directly on the storm's path, "Gaemi" disrupted the usual monsoon rainfall and caused landslides and floods. According to police reports, at least 30 people were killed.
According to official reports, a tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of heavy oil sank early Thursday morning in Manila Bay. One crew member died in the incident. Authorities warned of the potential for the worst oil spill in the country's history if all the oil spilled into the sea.
Between July and October, the region experiences frequent typhoons. Experts believe that climate change increases the intensity of typhoons, which are accompanied by heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong wind gusts. China is already experiencing an extreme summer with numerous extreme weather events: While the eastern and southern parts of the country are battling heavy rainfall, people in the north are suffering through consecutive heatwaves.
- In response to the approaching typhoon, train service was temporarily suspended in Guangdong, China's most populous province, affecting many people.
- The city of Wenzhou, in Zhejiang, China, reportedly declared its highest rain warning level and evacuated nearly 7,000 people due to the heavy rain.
- The official Chinese meteorological authority reported that the typhoon, named "Gaemi," was moving northwest at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour, but was gradually weakening.
- Heavy rain was also expected in the central provinces of Jiangxi and Henan, as reported by state media.
- In Guangdong, CCTV showed streets turning into rivers and trees being scattered everywhere due to the typhoon.
- So far, no deaths or injuries have been reported on the Chinese mainland due to the storm and its heavy rainfall, according to state media.
- Authorities in Fujian had to close down some rivers due to the heavy rain caused by the typhoon.
- The storm caused significant damage in Taiwan, with parts of its second-largest city being flooded, as reported by state media.
- In Wenzhou, China, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) images showed the impact of the typhoon on the city's streets and buildings.
