A strong typhoon, named Gaemi, has caused devastation in Taiwan and is now heading towards southern China, leaving at least two people dead and a Tanzania-flagged cargo ship sunk off the coast of Kaohsiung. The nine crew members of the freighter, all from Myanmar, are currently missing as rescuers are unable to access the area due to strong winds and poor visibility.
Since making landfall in Taiwan, Gaemi has brought gusts of up to 227kmph and heavy rainfall, causing widespread damage and loss of life. The storm has prompted the closure of schools, government offices, and the stock market in several cities, with hundreds of flights being cancelled.
As the typhoon moves towards southern China, authorities in Fujian have issued the second-highest flood alert level, with extreme rainfall expected to impact the region. Around 150,000 people have been relocated in anticipation of flooding, while waterway routes and train services have been suspended in affected areas.
Meanwhile, northern China is also experiencing heavy rains from a separate weather system, leading to evacuations in Beijing and suspensions of train services. Gaemi has exacerbated seasonal rains in the Philippines, triggering flooding and landslides that have resulted in at least 20 deaths in the past two weeks.
The situation remains critical as both Taiwan and China brace for the impact of Gaemi, with continued efforts to rescue the missing crew members and mitigate the effects of the storm on the affected regions.
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