Typhoon Gaemi batters China after devastating Taiwan and the Philippines

Typhoon leaves trail of destruction across Asia, heads towards Jiangxi province

BEIJING:

Typhoon Gaemi struck China's coastal Fujian province on Friday, bringing heavy rains and strong winds, making it the most powerful storm to hit the country this year.

The storm has affected nearly 630,000 people in Fujian, with almost half needing relocation, according to Xinhua news agency. Earlier in the week, Gaemi caused fatalities in Taiwan and worsened seasonal rains in the Philippines, resulting in dozens of deaths.

Gaemi's winds reached up to 100.8 kph (62.6 mph) near its centre, down from 118.8 kph recorded Thursday night when it made landfall in Putian city, Fujian. Although downgraded to a tropical storm, Gaemi's extensive cloud bands pose a significant flood risk, especially to rivers in central China already elevated from summer rains.

Ahead of the typhoon's arrival, President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party's politburo held a special meeting on flood control, urging officials nationwide to safeguard lives. The committee emphasised preventing breaches of major rivers and the collapse of large and key medium-sized reservoirs.

In Fujian, 72 townships reported precipitation exceeding 250 mm (9.8 inches), with the highest reaching 512.8 mm. Gaemi is expected to reach Jiangxi province by late Friday, home to China's largest freshwater lake, Poyang.

Forecasters warned that up to 10 provinces could be impacted, including Henan, which has over 100 million residents. Henan's meteorological bureau anticipates Gaemi to bring rains by Friday night.

Gaemi's effects are projected to extend as far north as Jilin and Liaoning provinces, which are still recovering from recent severe storms and flooding.

Scientists have linked the increased intensity of such tropical storms to global warming, according to a report published on Friday.

On Thursday, Gaemi flooded several cities and towns in Taiwan, injuring over 700 people, killing seven, and sinking a freighter off the coast. Rescue teams used inflatable boats to save nearly 1,000 people from floodwaters.

In the Philippines, the storm claimed 32 lives, leading Manila to declare a "state of calamity" due to widespread flooding. Additionally, a marine tanker carrying industrial fuel sank in rough seas off the Philippines.

Gaemi's journey through Asia has highlighted the severe impacts of extreme weather events, with significant humanitarian and environmental consequences across the region.