Credits: CNN
Beijing, China — Typhoon Gaemi has made landfall in mainland China, following its devastating path through Taiwan and the Philippines. More than 150,000 residents of Fujian province have been evacuated to safer areas in preparation for the storm.
The typhoon has already caused widespread flooding and landslides in Taiwan and the Philippines, resulting in at least 21 fatalities. In the Philippines, authorities are grappling with an oil spill after a tanker carrying 1.5 million liters of industrial fuel capsized and sank off the coast.
The Philippines’ coast guard is urgently working to contain the spill, which could become the worst in the country’s history. An oil slick stretching about four kilometers has been detected, raising environmental concerns. Rear Admiral Armando Balilo emphasized the spill’s potential impact on the marine environment, as the bad weather has hindered containment efforts.
The sunken tanker, MT Terra Nova, was en route to Iloilo City with 17 crew members on board. Sixteen were rescued, but one body was found. The incident occurred as another ship sank off Taiwan’s southwestern coast.
China has activated its highest-tier disaster warning as Typhoon Gaemi approached on Thursday evening. President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting with top Communist Party leaders to discuss flood control and disaster relief. Train services in Fujian have been suspended, and authorities in northern China are warning of potential landslides and flooding.
The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has indicated a “high risk” of natural disasters. This summer, China has experienced volatile weather patterns, including heavy downpours in the east and south, and heatwaves in the north. Typically, heavy rain affects China from mid-July to mid-August.
Gaemi’s trajectory mirrors that of last year’s Typhoon Doksuri, which caused extensive flooding in northern China. However, the storm’s path could still change.
In Taiwan, a major cleanup operation is underway following the typhoon, the largest to hit the island in eight years and the first of this year’s storm season. Taiwan’s meteorological office reported over 1000mm of rainfall in several areas between Wednesday night and Thursday lunchtime. The southern city of Kaohsiung recorded 1350mm of rain, leaving large parts of the city submerged under more than a meter of floodwater and resulting in three deaths.
Rescue operations continue for six missing Burmese sailors after their Tanzania-flagged cargo ship Fu Shun sank off Taiwan’s northern coast. Three crew members have been rescued, but high winds and rough seas are hampering efforts. Additionally, five other cargo ships have run aground near the island.
Though the Philippines avoided a direct hit, Typhoon Gaemi intensified the seasonal monsoon rains, causing widespread flooding in Manila. The storm’s effects exacerbated the situation, contributing to the tanker’s sinking and the subsequent oil spill.
As China braces for further impact from Typhoon Gaemi, the region is contending with the aftermath of one of the most severe weather events in recent years. The storm’s trajectory and intensity continue to pose significant challenges for affected areas.
