Massive Evacuations Take Place in Southeast China Due to Typhoon Saudel

Typhoon Saudel, which swept through provinces in southeastern China, caused heavy rainfall, widespread floods, and landslides; in Fujian province alone, approximately 600,000 people were evacuated from high-risk areas.

Heavy Rains and Flood Disaster

Affecting the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong over the past week, Typhoon Saudel caused extreme rainfall and infrastructure damage in the region.

While 416.5 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in the city of Putian, Fujian province, within a 24-hour period between Thursday and Friday, this amount exceeded 500 millimeters in surrounding villages.

Evacuations in Fujian and Jiangxi

Fujian authorities estimate that approximately 600,000 people have been evacuated from dangerous areas at risk of flooding to safe zones.

Across Jiangxi, 128,000 people were adversely affected in 53 counties, while 9,000 people were evacuated from their homes under emergency protocols.

Stranded Students and Rescue Operations

In Wenzhou, Zhejiang, more than 2,500 teachers and students were stranded on a school campus on Wednesday due to flash floods caused by torrential rains.

It was reported that at least 1,260 people had to be rescued on Thursday after a river dyke collapsed and 100 homes were destroyed in Putian.

Casualties and the Toll of the Typhoon

Three people lost their lives and nine people went missing as a result of a landslide that occurred on Saturday in a village in Suichuan county, Jiangxi province.

This event was recorded as the seventh typhoon to affect China this year, and Saudel arrived in the region right after Typhoon Narra, which hit Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi.