Heavy rains and severe weather conditions have resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction in northern and southern China. According to reports from state media, five individuals were confirmed dead due to weather-related incidents over the weekend.
In the northern region of Inner Mongolia, two villagers tragically lost their lives during a sudden mountain flash flood on Saturday evening. The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that one individual drowned while herding cattle, while another fell into the water while attempting to move the herd away from danger. Additionally, three fatalities were reported in Fushun city, Liaoning province, located approximately 390 kilometers (240 miles) southeast of Inner Mongolia. The circumstances surrounding these deaths have not been detailed by officials.
The heavy rainstorm that struck Fushun early Saturday brought unprecedented rainfall, with some areas receiving measurements as high as 32.9 centimeters (approximately 13 inches). This deluge transformed streets into lakes, prompting the evacuation of around 3,600 residents to safer locations. Video footage shared online illustrated the severity of the flooding, showcasing submerged vehicles and overwhelmed infrastructure.
In the southern part of the country, Tropical Storm Maysak made landfall on Saturday night in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, packing winds of up to 101 kilometers (63 miles) per hour. As Maysak moved towards the Guangxi region of China, it weakened from a severe tropical storm to a regular tropical storm but continued to wreak havoc. In Fangchenggang city, rivers overflowed dramatically, resulting in cars being submerged almost completely. Rescue teams utilized inflatable boats to assist individuals trapped by the severe flooding, which residents described as the worst they have experienced in two decades.
In Vietnam, the effects of the storm were equally devastating. Reports indicated that strong winds knocked down trees and damaged buildings in the town of Mong Cai on Saturday evening. Cleanup crews were deployed to remove fallen trees and debris, using chainsaws and heavy machinery to restore normalcy after the winds had subsided.
Tropical Storm Maysak also affected Dongxing, a city adjacent to the Vietnam border, where strong winds uprooted numerous trees. Before making landfall in Vietnam, the storm had already caused rainfall across China's Hainan island earlier in the week, creating a trail of destruction as it advanced.
