At least 17 people have been killed and hundreds injured after Typhoon Maysak unleashed torrential rain, severe flooding and rare tornadoes across parts of China, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes.
Gatekeepers News reports that the worst-hit areas include the southern Guangxi region and central Hubei province, where rescue operations are still ongoing.
The powerful storm inundated cities and villages, destroyed homes, damaged roads and farmland, and disrupted electricity and transport services. In Hubei, rare tornadoes flattened buildings, overturned vehicles and left widespread destruction, while floodwaters in Guangxi submerged entire communities and prompted large-scale evacuations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out emergency response, directing authorities to intensify rescue efforts, relocate residents from high-risk areas and minimise further casualties. Emergency workers have been deployed to search for missing persons and deliver relief materials to affected communities.
Meteorological authorities have warned that more heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches China’s eastern coast, raising concerns that flooding, landslides and other weather-related disasters could worsen in already devastated areas.
