Unrelenting rain causes more than 100 landslides, traps residents in flood waters in southern China

BEIJING – Days of relentless rain from the remnants of Typhoon Haikui have caused more than 100 landslides, trapped about 1,360 residents in flood waters and killed at least seven people in China’s south, said state media.

Typhoon Haikui hit southern China early last week

and has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, but unrelenting rain continues to deluge south-western Guangxi region.

Incessant storms in the past three days in most areas of Yulin city caused 115 landslides that destroyed roads, uprooting trees, inducing floods and leading the authorities to issue a warning of emergencies on national and provincial trunk highways, state media said. Three people remain missing and rescue operations are ongoing.

Further south near the coast, Beihai city was inundated by widespread downpours. Rescuers were seen treading thigh-deep in waterlogged areas evacuating residents in boats. About 1,360 people were trapped on Tuesday, state media said.

The city’s observatory raised its storm warning to the highest in a four-tier alert system after more than 101mm of rain fell in a three-hour period on Tuesday morning, and flagged risks of flash floods, geological disasters and waterlogging in urban and rural areas.

Typhoon Haikui, which weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall in south-eastern Fujian province on Sept 5, wreaked havoc in the populous city of Shenzhen last week, dumping a historic level of rainfall since records began in 1952.

Neighbouring Hong Kong was also pelted by the worst storm in 140 years.

Scientists warn that typhoons hitting China are becoming more intense and their paths growing more complex, escalating risk of disaster, even in coastal cities such as Shenzhen that already have strong flood defence capabilities.

China Meteorological Administration forecast heavy rain in the south and south-eastern parts of Guangxi on Tuesday and Wednesday, with storms in the south-west. Localised hourly precipitation could hit 70mm in some areas, it said.

The national forecaster also warned relevant departments and people in Guangdong province and Guangxi to be alert to any delayed effects of disasters from the frequent rain in recent days. REUTERS