Rainstorms trigger severe flooding in south China

NewsFeed Rainstorms trigger severe flooding in south China
Heavy rainfall in southern China has caused severe flooding and landslides, affecting over 300,000 people and forcing nearly 70,000 to evacuate their homes.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Al Jazeera

a day ago

• Al Jazeera

Hurricane Erick slams into Mexico's coast as Category 3 storm

Hurricane Erick has made landfall in Mexico's western state of Oaxaca, bringing with it the risk of 'life-threatening flooding and mudslides', the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) says. The powerful storm reached the coast of Mexico early on Thursday with its centre 30km (20 miles) east of Punta Maldonado, according to the NHC. In its latest bulletin, the NHC reported that Erick's maximum sustained winds as it hit the coast were 205 kilometres per hour (125 miles per hour), meaning it was downgraded from a Category 4 to a Category 3 hurricane. Erick, which is travelling to the northwest at a rate of 15km/h (9mph), is expected to move inland over southern Mexico throughout Thursday before weakening and dissipating by early Friday. Forecasters predicted it would unleash destructive winds, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge. A hurricane warning is in place for the entire coast between Acapulco and Puerto Angel. The NHC warned that Erick could unleash up to 40cm (16 inches) of rain on Oaxaca and Guerrero, which could lead to 'life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain'. The Mexican states of Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco could also be hit by up to 15cm (6 inches) of rainfall, the Miami-based centre added. Meanwhile, Mexico's national water commission, Conagua, said waves in coastal areas were up to 10 metres (33ft) high. Mexican authorities have scrambled to prepare residents and tourists before Erick's arrival. In a video message on Wednesday night, President Claudia Sheinbaum urged people to stay at home or move to shelters if they were in low-lying areas. About 2,000 temporary shelters have been set up in the states of Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca to house those who have to leave their homes. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said schools in her state would stay closed and fishing and tourism operators had been told to make their boats storm-ready. Residents in the Guerrero resort of Acapulco were among those steeling themselves for Erick's landfall. The city of almost one million people was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, which killed at least 52 people and destroyed many homes and businesses. Carlos Ozuna Romero, 51, lost his restaurant at the edge of an Acapulco beach in the 2023 hurricane. On Wednesday, he oversaw workers as they stored tables and chairs in preparation for the new storm. 'Authorities' warnings fill us with fear and obviously make us remember everything we've already been through,' he said. Elsewhere in the city, Veronica Gomez, a 40-year-old shipping company worker, suggested Acapulco was much better prepared this time. 'Now it's not going to catch us by surprise,' she said.

Al Jazeera

2 days ago

• Al Jazeera

Rainstorms trigger severe flooding in south China

NewsFeed Rainstorms trigger severe flooding in south China Heavy rainfall in southern China has caused severe flooding and landslides, affecting over 300,000 people and forcing nearly 70,000 to evacuate their homes.

Al Jazeera

11-06-2025

• Al Jazeera

At least 49 dead in South Africa flooding, students washed away in bus

At least 49 people have died in heavy flooding in South Africa's Eastern Cape province after an extreme cold front brought torrential rain and blanketed snow in parts of the country, officials said. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said on Wednesday that the death toll, provided by police, is expected to rise as authorities continue to search for the missing. 'As we speak here, other bodies are being discovered,' Mabuyane told reporters at a briefing. In one tragic incident, authorities reported the deaths of six high school students who were washed away on Tuesday when their school bus was caught in floodwaters near a river. Four other students were among the missing, Mabuyane said. Authorities found the school bus earlier Wednesday, but it was empty. Three of the students were rescued on Tuesday when they were found clinging to trees, the provincial government said. Disaster response teams have been activated in Eastern Cape province and the neighbouring KwaZulu-Natal province after torrential rain hit parts of southern and eastern South Africa over the weekend. Power outages have affected hundreds of thousands of homes, authorities said. Eastern Cape officials said at least 58 schools and 20 hospitals were damaged by the floods. Approximately 500 people were taken to temporary shelters after their homes were washed away or damaged, they added. 'I have never seen something like this,' Mabuyane said. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the affected families in a statement. His office said South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre was now working with local authorities in the Eastern Cape. Weather forecasters had warned for days prior that an especially strong weather front was heading for the eastern and southern parts of South Africa, bringing damaging rains in some parts and snow in others.