Flooding – Southern China Reports 39 Deaths as Another Storm Nears
Flooding – Severe flooding in southern China has left 39 people dead after Tropical Storm Maysak brought exceptional rainfall to Guangxi, while Taiwan and China’s eastern coast prepare for another powerful weather system expected to arrive in the coming days.
Flood emergency worsens after dam breach
Officials said the highest number of deaths was linked to a dam failure in an area east of Nanning, the regional capital of Guangxi. Ding Wei, vice mayor of Nanning, told a news briefing that 26 people died after floodwaters surged through nearby communities following the breach.
Authorities also reported that nine people remain missing across Guangxi. The confirmed toll rose sharply from an earlier figure of six deaths as rescue teams continued to assess damage in isolated and heavily flooded areas.
Record rainfall overwhelms Guangxi communities
Tropical Storm Maysak began affecting Guangxi on Saturday, bringing days of intense rain that caused reservoirs to overflow and damaged flood-control infrastructure. Residents in several towns were trapped inside homes and other buildings as water levels rose rapidly.
China’s national meteorological center said parts of southern Guangxi received between 10 and 40 centimeters of rain during the storm. In the worst-hit locations, cumulative rainfall exceeded 90 centimeters, creating dangerous conditions across urban and rural areas.
The large volume of water flowing from damaged reservoirs and breached structures sent powerful currents into towns and surrounding districts. Roads, homes and public facilities were affected as floodwaters carried mud, debris and damaged materials through populated areas.
Rescue teams use drones and boats
Emergency workers have launched a large-scale rescue effort using drones and thousands of boats to reach people stranded by floodwaters. Officials said around 5,700 boats have been deployed, with teams working through strong currents and floating debris in several difficult-to-access locations.
About 130,000 people have been moved from flood-prone areas as authorities continue evacuation and relief operations. Rescue crews have focused on reaching residents in communities cut off by damaged roads and rising water.
Local authorities said the flood situation has begun to improve in some places as water levels gradually fall. However, additional rainfall is forecast in parts of Guangxi over the next two days, raising concerns that recovery work could be disrupted.
Cleanup and restoration work begins
Crews have been sent to affected towns to remove mud and debris left behind by the flooding. Disinfection work is also underway in several communities, particularly in Hengzhou city, which is located east of Nanning and falls under the city’s administration.
Road repair projects are continuing in damaged areas, while electricity has been restored to more than 60,000 homes, Ding said. Authorities are also monitoring reservoirs, waterways and vulnerable infrastructure as weather conditions remain unstable.
Typhoon Bavi expected near Taiwan and east China
As Guangxi begins recovery efforts, meteorologists are tracking Typhoon Bavi, which is expected to move north of Taiwan. The storm could bring heavy rain to the island, home to around 23 million people.
Forecasts indicate that Bavi may make landfall in either Zhejiang or Fujian province on Saturday. Officials in coastal areas are likely to increase preparedness measures as the storm approaches, particularly in locations already facing heavy seasonal rainfall.