Severe flooding and tornadoes have wreaked havoc in southern China following the arrival of Typhoon Maysak over the weekend. The storm has displaced tens of thousands of residents in Guangxi province,where rising waters have submerged entire neighborhoods, leaving many trapped and in desperate need of assistance .
On Sunday,heavy rainfall began in Renhe village,a community accustomed to seasonal storms. However, the situation escalated quickly. By early Monday, floodwaters surged to knee height, and by dawn,the first floors of homes were completely underwater. A local resident, identified as Zhou, recounted the chaos: "The floods happened so rapidly,the water just came so fast . villagers didn't have time to take food with them when they were running away."
At least four fatalities have been reported in Guangxi,with state media indicating that death toll could rise as rescue operations continue . The typhoon has also affected Nanning,the provincial capital,where residents have been seen calling for help from rooftops as waters continue to rise. In total, around 90,000 individuals have been impacted by the floods, with approximately 60,000 evacuated from their homes.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by the extreme weather conditions. Zhou, who has relocated to another province, expressed concern for her family still trapped in Renhe,stating that they are running low on food and supplies. "Other villagers are gathering at higher ground,but they are running out of supplies as well. There are too many villages affected, and not enough rescue workers," she said.
Another resident, Huang from Yunbiao, described the rapid onset of the floods, stating it took just ten minutes for her village to be submerged. "We simply couldn't rescue everyone in time . There were too few rescue personnel, and the lifeboats they brought were too small, they couldn't travel very far," she explained. Many residents have lost communication with their families due to power outages and damaged infrastructure .
President Xi Jinping has ordered a comprehensive response to disaster,emphasizing the need for effective treatment of injured and resettlement of affected residents . State media has broadcast images of rescue teams navigating the floodwaters in inflatable boats, but the scale of disaster has left many feeling abandoned.
In addition to the flooding,the typhoon has caused unusual weather phenomena in central Hubei province,where at least two tornadoes formed, resulting in significant destruction. Meteorologists attribute this to a clash of cold and warm air masses. Videos circulating on social media depict the chaos,with strong winds tossing furniture and debris through the air. One man was reportedly blown out of his apartment, falling twelve stories and sustaining serious injuries.
The tornadoes,which are rare in Hubei, have left residents shaken . A student from Huanggang described the moment the storm struck, recalling how he initially mistook it for a regular thunderstorm until he witnessed objects flying outside his window. "A lot of students were cut by flying glass," he said,reflecting on the panic that ensued.
As the situation unfolds,residents in affected areas are anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Zhou shared her efforts to check on her family by asking a friend to swim through floodwaters . While he was able to confirm that her father was safe,the fate of their neighbors remains uncertain. "Even by swimming, people can't spot them," she lamented.
In the wake of Typhoon Maysak,the region faces not only the immediate challenges of rescue and recovery but also the looming threat of another storm,Super Typhoon Bavi,which is projected to impact China's eastern coast later this week. Authorities have warned that ongoing heavy rainfall could further complicate rescue efforts.
As communities grapple with the aftermath of this disaster, urgency for aid and support grows. Residents are left to navigate the treacherous conditions while hoping for a swift response from authorities.
