Typhoon Narra has brought widespread flooding to southern China, forcing large-scale evacuations as authorities prepare for more heavy rain and the possible impact of another storm system.
Narra made landfall in China’s southern island province of Hainan on Tuesday evening after spending several days over the Beibu Gulf. Heavy rainfall has affected Hainan, Guangxi and Guangdong, with homes and low-lying areas submerged in several places.
Authorities have moved tens of thousands of people from vulnerable areas as the rain continues.
In Guangxi, rivers have risen above warning levels and flooding has affected low-lying communities. Rescue teams have been using boats to reach residents in some flooded areas.
The weather situation is not expected to settle immediately.
Forecasters are watching several tropical systems across the region. Typhoon Saudel is moving towards Japan and Taiwan and is expected to bring further rain, while other storm systems are also developing over the Northwest Pacific and South China Sea.
The combination has created an unusual situation, with several tropical systems active across the region at the same time.
For southern China, the immediate concern is the continued rainfall.
Parts of Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan and Fujian are expected to receive heavy or torrential rain. Authorities have closed some businesses and tourism operations and have carried out evacuations in areas considered at risk.
The flooding has also disrupted normal life.
Homes and roads have been inundated, while rescue and relief teams are working to move residents and deal with the effects of the flooding.
The situation is being closely watched because saturated ground and already swollen rivers can make additional rainfall more dangerous.
The storm has also affected neighbouring countries. Northern Vietnam has experienced heavy rain and flooding, while the wider weather system is being monitored across East Asia.
Japan and Taiwan are also preparing for the effects of Typhoon Saudel. Japan has reported power outages and flight cancellations in areas affected by the storm.
For China, however, the priority remains the flooding caused by Narra and the rain that is still expected in parts of the south.
Emergency teams are continuing rescue and relief operations, while authorities are warning residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert.
The immediate danger may ease as Narra weakens, but the arrival of additional storms means the region could continue to face difficult weather conditions over the next several days.
For the communities already dealing with flooded homes and roads, the biggest concern now is whether the rain stops before the water has a chance to recede.
