Typhoon Maysak kills two and forces thousands to evacuate in China
Typhoon Maysak's Impact on Southern China: Evacuations and Disasters
Typhoon Maysak kills two and forces - China’s southern regions are grappling with the aftermath of Typhoon Maysak, which has already claimed two lives and displaced thousands due to severe flooding. The storm, which made landfall in Hainan and Vietnam over the weekend, is now weakening as it moves inland, according to meteorologists. Its path across the South China Sea has brought torrential rains, leading to breaches in reservoirs and widespread water accumulation in cities like Nanning, the capital of Guangxi province. As the situation escalates, authorities have heightened flood emergency responses, warning of further complications in rescue operations.
Casualties and Evacuations in Guangxi
Typhoon Maysak struck Nanning, Guangxi, with devastating force, submerging streets and overwhelming infrastructure. The city’s deputy mayor, Wei Jiang, reported that floodwaters had overflowed or breached barriers at three reservoirs, exacerbating the crisis. Over 55,000 residents were affected by the flooding, with approximately 48,000 forced to evacuate their homes. “Extremely heavy rain” has intensified the situation, with officials stating that the deluge could worsen conditions and hinder relief efforts.
“We have seen unprecedented water levels, and the situation is critical. We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our citizens,” said Wei Jiang.
Flood Damage in Guigang and Fangchenggang
Further inland, the city of Guigang faced its own challenges as floodwaters transformed a major road into a temporary lake. Cars were submerged, and brown torrents cascaded down a hillside, threatening a construction site. The water level at Guigang’s hydrological station reached 42 metres by midday, according to the Ministry of Water Resources. Meanwhile, in Fangchenggang, a verified video captured a small vehicle being swept away by the flood, with water rising to the level of another car’s steering wheel. A man was seen struggling to save his electric scooter from the rising currents.
Extending the Damage: Northern China’s Toll
While the focus remains on southern regions, heavy rains have also caused fatalities in northern China. Five people have died in the affected areas, with two perishing in a flash flood in Inner Mongolia and three more in Fushun, Liaoning province, on Saturday evening. These incidents highlight the typhoon’s far-reaching impact, even as it moves across the Pacific toward Taiwan. Super Typhoon Bavi, currently strengthening, is expected to bring strong winds and heavy downpours to eastern China starting Thursday, according to Xinhua.
Super Typhoon Bavi: A Looming Threat
Amid the chaos from Maysak, China is also preparing for the arrival of Super Typhoon Bavi, which is projected to reach the Pacific islands of Guam, Tinian, Saipan, and Rota on Monday. The U.S. National Weather Service reported winds of up to 180mph as the storm progresses through these islands. Once Bavi enters China’s eastern regions, it is anticipated to unleash intense weather, compounding the challenges posed by Maysak’s aftermath.
Economic and Environmental Concerns
The escalating frequency of extreme weather events underscores growing concerns for China’s economic stability. As the world’s second-largest economy, the nation faces significant risks from weather-related disruptions. Analysts estimate that such events could annually cost tens of billions of dollars in lost commercial activity, as cities inundate, industries halt, and crops are damaged or destroyed. Meteorologists attribute these extreme conditions to the climate crisis, linking them to shifting weather patterns and increased precipitation.
The Path of Typhoon Maysak
Maysak first made landfall on Friday in Hainan, marking the first tropical cyclone to reach China’s mainland this year. The storm then moved into Vietnam, where it caused damage in the border city of Mong Cai, according to state media. Trees were uprooted, and metal roofs were torn from buildings as the typhoon passed through. This progression into Vietnam also highlights the interconnectedness of weather systems across the region, with Guangxi province directly affected due to its proximity to the Vietnamese border.
Broader Regional Impacts
Chinese meteorologists have issued warnings that heavy rainfall will persist across Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, and other areas in the coming days. These regions collectively house more than 150 million people, a population surpassing that of Russia. The scale of the flooding emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated disaster management and long-term climate adaptation strategies. With Maysak’s remnants still causing disruption, residents and authorities are under pressure to mitigate further damage and ensure safe recovery efforts.
As the typhoon’s influence fades, the focus shifts to preventing secondary effects from Super Typhoon Bavi. The potential for overlapping disasters raises questions about China’s readiness to handle multiple extreme weather events simultaneously. Meanwhile, communities in the south continue to rebuild, with the combined impact of Maysak and the ongoing climate crisis serving as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing the region. The government’s swift response, including raising emergency alert levels, demonstrates efforts to minimize human and economic losses, yet the full extent of the typhoon’s aftermath remains to be seen.
Experts caution that the frequency and intensity of such storms may increase in the future, necessitating stronger infrastructure and more resilient urban planning. The current crisis has already disrupted daily life, with transportation networks paralyzed and power outages reported in several areas. For now, the priority remains on saving lives and restoring normalcy, as China braces for the next phase of this weather-driven challenge.