Tropical Storm Maysak Flooding Kills 39 and Prompts Evacuation of 130,000 in Southern China

Authorities in southern China reported Thursday that flooding from Tropical Storm Maysak killed 39 people. Most of the deaths occurred in Hengzhou after a reservoir dam partially collapsed and sent torrents through the city, Ding Wei, vice mayor of Nanning, said at a news briefing. Nine people remained missing across the broader Guangxi region.

Tropical Storm Maysak brought record rainfall to Guangxi beginning Saturday, breaching reservoirs and stranding residents. Cumulative rainfall reached 10 to 40 centimeters in some areas and exceeded 90 centimeters in hard-hit zones, the national meteorological center said. The death toll had stood at six on Tuesday.

Rescue teams continued extracting more than 10,000 students and teachers trapped at schools in Guigang city on Thursday. Drones and about 5,700 boats supported the operation, which has evacuated roughly 130,000 people. An animal shelter operator in Binyang county rescued about 200 cats and dozens of dogs.

A zoo in Guigang reported more than 100 animals missing, including two zebras, four porcupines and dozens of tropical birds. Ding Wei stated that floodwaters are receding but more rain is expected in some areas over the next two days. Crews have begun clearing mud and debris and disinfecting towns in Hengzhou, where electricity has been restored to more than 60,000 homes.

Typhoon Bavi is forecast to pass just north of Taiwan, an island of 23 million people, before making landfall in Zhejiang or Fujian province on Saturday.