Typhoon-Fueled rain causes major flooding in China’s Fujian

The collapse of a river embankment in Putian city, which belongs to Chengxiang of Fujian Province, southeastern China, after heavy rains caused by Typhoon Saudel has left many people missing.

Putian lies near the Mulan River. Torrential rains have started falling in Chengxiang from Thursday, September 3, due to Typhoon Saudel. With the heavy rainfall continuing, the embankment of Mulan River collapsed at about 4:00 PM local time, causing floods and a huge volume of water pouring into Putian City and submerging a vast area of the city.

According to an administrative official in Putian, on Friday, quoted by China’s state-run news agency Xinhua, many people are missing even when the actual figure is not known. In addition, over 100 homes were flattened down by the floods.

The official reported that 1,260 people have been saved and shifted from the flooded areas to 30 official relief camps.

Though the rains have reduced on Saturday, the provincial weather department of Fujian Province has predicted that rain will continue in Putian and neighboring areas for the next four days.

The administrative official also told Xinhua that disaster response teams had been instructed to remain on maximum alert.

-AJM