Typhoon Saudel floods China as coastal provinces brace for more rain

BEIJING: Typhoon Saudel has unleashed torrential rain across southern and eastern China, flooding urban and rural areas, disrupting transport and forcing thousands of residents from their homes as coastal provinces prepare for more severe weather.

Fujian and Guangdong were on high alert on Friday after heavy downpours associated with Saudel overwhelmed roads and communities. Floodwaters submerged vehicles and damaged infrastructure, while a three-storey brick building collapsed in Fujian.

In the city of Fuding, firefighters waded through waist-deep water to rescue elderly residents trapped by rising floodwaters. In nearby Jinxi village, a mountainous tea-growing community, powerful currents inundated homes and caused a three-storey structure to collapse.

Authorities have closed schools, suspended public transport and activated emergency flood measures in several coastal areas as the storm continues to affect communities.

Saudel made its third landfall along Fujian’s coast on Thursday morning after strengthening again over the South China Sea. It is the seventh typhoon to hit China this year, adding to concerns over an unusually active storm season.

In Putian, floodwaters spilled onto major highways, damaged bridge structures and entered residential areas, according to footage shared on social media. State broadcaster CCTV reported that rescue teams were working to evacuate residents trapped by the flooding, with some people reportedly missing.

The scale of the emergency has already triggered large evacuations. More than 83,000 people were evacuated in Fujian, while hundreds of thousands have been relocated across Zhejiang and neighbouring provinces since late August.

Officials have also warned that saturated ground and swollen rivers could increase the danger of landslides and other secondary disasters.

Saudel follows Typhoon Narra, which brought heavy rainfall to Guangxi, Hainan and Guangdong late last month.

Scientists say the unusual storm activity may be linked to El Niño, which can influence the position of weather systems across the western Pacific. Hui Su, a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said stronger typhoons have been forming farther east and travelling long distances before striking China and other parts of Asia.

He warned that the current typhoon season could last until December, rather than ending in October or November, because of prolonged warm conditions.

The United Nations has also warned that El Niño could strengthen further into 2027, potentially increasing the risk of prolonged extreme weather.

For communities along China’s coast, the immediate priority remains survival as rescuers race against rising waters, while authorities prepare for another round of heavy rainfall from Saudel.