39 killed in southern China flooding after days of heavy rain

39 Killed in Southern China Flooding After Days of Heavy Rain

39 killed in southern China flooding - Southern China’s authorities reported on Thursday that 39 fatalities had resulted from flooding triggered by torrential rains from a tropical storm. The disaster, which has displaced thousands, was compounded by the approach of a new typhoon threatening the eastern coast and Taiwan. Officials in Nanning, which oversees Hengzhou, noted that the city bore the brunt of the tragedy, with 26 lives lost due to a dam collapse that unleashed sudden floods.

Record Rainfall and Rescue Efforts

Tropical Storm Maysak unleashed unprecedented rainfall on Guangxi, causing reservoirs to overflow and trapping residents in their homes for days. The region’s previously reported death toll had risen to six by Tuesday, but the situation worsened as the storm continued. Meanwhile, Typhoon Bavi, now moving northwest across the East China Sea, is forecast to strike Japan’s remote islands before nearing Taiwan and eventually making landfall in Fujian or Zhejiang provinces.

"Floodwaters are receding, but more rain is expected in some areas over the next two days," said Ding Wei, the city’s vice mayor.

Rescue teams deployed by the military have extracted over 10,000 students and teachers from Guigang city, a region 40 miles northeast of Hengzhou. Footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed children wearing orange life vests scrambling onto boats as schools floated above muddy waters. Meanwhile, animals faced similar peril, with a Guigang zoo confirming the disappearance of more than 100 creatures, including zebras and tropical birds.

Impact on Communities and Infrastructure

Across Hengzhou, reports of escaped snakes led to a surge in antivenom stockpiles and public safety advisories. In Binyang county, rescuers worked tirelessly to save 200 cats and dozens of dogs, ferrying the pets through waist-deep floodwaters. The national meteorological center highlighted that southern Guangxi received 4 to 16 inches of rain, with some areas seeing over 35 inches.

Relief operations involved drones and nearly 5,700 boats to deliver supplies and rescue stranded residents. Over 130,000 people had been evacuated, with electricity restored to more than 60,000 homes. However, challenges remain as crews continue to clear debris and disinfect affected towns.

Broader Regional Effects

Severe weather also affected central China, where 11 deaths were recorded in Hubei province after Monday night’s thunderstorms and tornadoes. In Bangladesh, monsoon rains caused landslides that claimed at least 13 Rohingya refugee lives in camps. Authorities moved refugees to safer zones on Thursday as the storm system intensified.

Meanwhile, northern Taiwan’s fishing ports saw boats tightly packed as residents braced for Bavi’s arrival. The typhoon, which earlier this week battered Saipan and U.S. territories with fierce winds, was downgraded from super-typhoon status but still maintained maximum sustained winds of 114 mph, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.