Heavy rains and floods caused by Typhoon Gaemi have resulted in at least 30 deaths and left 35 individuals missing across eight towns in Hunan province, southern China, as reported by the state-run news agency Xinhua on Thursday, citing local officials.
According to CNN, on Thursday, rescue teams managed to reach the eight towns that had been isolated since last Sunday due to the destruction of infrastructure and power grids.
“By 12:00 on August 1, the roads, electricity, and communications in the eight towns in Zixing City most severely affected by Typhoon Gaemi are largely restored, and search and rescue efforts have made significant progress,” local authorities confirmed to Xinhua.
Rescue operations are still ongoing, according to local authorities.
In response to the severe flooding in Hunan, China has escalated its emergency response level to enhance local disaster relief efforts and ensure the basic living needs of those affected, stated the Ministry of Emergency Management on Thursday.
Typhoon Gaemi initially struck China on the evening of Thursday, July 25, with winds nearing 110 kph (70 mph).
The storm moved west-northwest through China, bringing heavy rain and winds, with forecasters predicting rainfall amounts ranging from 150 to 250 mm, 6 to 10 inches, with up to 400 mm, 15 inches, in higher elevation areas and along the coast.
Before hitting China, the storm caused significant flooding in Taiwan, with five townships recording rainfall exceeding 1,285 mm, 50 inches.
Typhoon Gaemi’s path was altered by Taiwan’s mountainous terrain, causing it to loop near the Hualien coastline for over six hours instead of making landfall on the evening of Wednesday, July 24.
Additionally, Typhoon Gaemi had previously exacerbated torrential monsoon rains, resulting in extensive flooding in the Philippine capital.
