Torrential rains in southeastern China have resulted in the tragic loss of at least seven lives, with three individuals still missing, as reported by state media on Tuesday. The recent fatalities have brought the death toll from Tropical Storm Gaemi to a total of 22 victims. The affected region is primarily located in Hunan province, where heavy rainfall has persisted for several days following the storm's landfall at typhoon strength in neighboring Fujian province.
Official sources disclosed that four deaths and three missing persons were recorded in Zixing city, with hundreds of homes sustaining damage and over 11,000 residents being evacuated due to the severe weather conditions. In a nearby village, the bodies of three missing individuals were discovered following a sudden mudslide triggered by the relentless rain.
The unfortunate incidents occurred south of a popular tourist area, where a mudslide on Sunday claimed the lives of 15 individuals and left six others injured after striking a homestay house. Additionally, in Xiangtan county, the rains caused breaches in dikes along two sections of the Juanshui River, prompting the evacuation of more than 3,000 people. Efforts to repair the breaches were underway, with one successfully resealed by Monday afternoon.
Furthermore, Tropical Storm Gaemi's impact extended to northeastern China and North Korea, leading to the swelling of the Yalu River that separates the two nations. Reports of serious flooding emerged from the Chinese border city of Dandong and the North Korean side, underscoring the widespread consequences of the storm's heavy rainfall in the region.
