Hunan, China — Typhoon Gaemi, which struck southern China last week, has resulted in at least 30 fatalities and left 35 people missing across eight towns in Hunan province, according to a Thursday report from state-run news agency Xinhua.
Rescue teams reached the affected areas on Thursday after these towns had been isolated due to severe infrastructure damage and power outages since last Sunday. Local authorities confirmed that, as of noon on August 1, essential services such as roads, electricity, and communications have been largely restored in Zixing City, one of the worst-hit areas. Significant progress has been made in search and rescue operations, but efforts are still ongoing.
In response to the disaster, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management has raised the national emergency response level to support local relief efforts and ensure the safety of affected residents.
Typhoon Gaemi made landfall in China on the evening of July 25 with wind speeds approaching 110 kph (70 mph). The storm moved west-northwest, bringing heavy rainfall and winds. Forecasters predicted rainfall totals between 150 to 250 mm (6 to 10 inches), with possible accumulations up to 400 mm (15 inches) in elevated and coastal areas.
Prior to hitting China, Typhoon Gaemi caused extensive flooding in Taiwan, with rainfall in five townships exceeding 1,285 mm (50 inches). The storm’s trajectory was altered by Taiwan’s mountainous terrain, causing it to loop offshore near Hualien instead of making landfall on July 24.
Further south, Gaemi exacerbated flooding in the Philippine capital, adding to the impacts of ongoing monsoon rains.