At least two people have died and thousands have been evacuated due to flooding caused by Tropical Storm Haikui in China’s southeastern coastal province of Fujian, local authorities said on Wednesday.
Schools were closed, flights were suspended and more than 30,000 people were moved to safety.
Two firefighters have died after flood water washed away a fire engine during a rescue operation, state media reported.
Earlier this week, Haikui swept across Taiwan like a typhoon, leaving dozens injured and thousands of homes without power.
Meanwhile, Haikui weakened to a tropical storm as it reached Fujian, but continued to see record levels of precipitation.
The worst-affected area lies between the coast and inland mountains and is particularly prone to flooding, forcing many people to migrate to other parts of China or move overseas over the decades.
Authorities closed schools, suspended flights, halted trains and buses, and sent dozens of ambulances to rescue efforts.
More than 30,000 people were evacuated, according to Chinese state media, and the economic damage was estimated at more than US$75 million.
Parts of Fujian have recorded rainfall in excess of 30 cm, breaking records across the province.
In Fuzhou City, 50,000 people were affected, of which more than 36,000 were placed in shelters.
In the summer, China suffered some of the heaviest rains and deadliest floods in recent years. Dozens of people died, including in mountainous areas on the outskirts of Beijing.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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