Deadly Storms and Floods Wreak Havoc Across China
Severe storms, floods, and tornadoes kill at least 17, displace tens of thousands, and trigger major rescue efforts
Deadly storms across parts of China have killed at least 17 people, injured hundreds and forced tens of thousands to leave their homes, state media reported.
In the central province of Hubei, thunderstorms and strong winds killed at least 11 people and injured 331, according to Xinhua. The agency said severe convective weather hit several cities, and tornadoes were also reported late Monday.
Xinhua also said 4,800 homes were damaged and 22 more collapsed.
“This episode of severe convective weather was characterised by its sudden onset and intense, short-duration winds,” the report said.
In Guangxi, heavy rain and flooding linked to Typhoon Maysak killed at least four people. At least 50,000 people were evacuated, while eight others were still missing.
The storm flooded Nanning and nearby villages, and many residents asked for rescue from rooftops.
Officials in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, raised flood control emergency measures to the highest level after heavy rain broke through dams.
"The floods happened so rapidly, the water just came so fast. The villagers didn't have time to take food with them when they were running away," a woman named Zhou told the BBC.
Zhou's family is among tens of thousands displaced in Guangxi after Typhoon Maysak moved through the region over the weekend, causing rivers to rise and dam walls to break.
The storm also brought thunderstorms and tornadoes to Hubei, hundreds of kilometres away.
State media said at least 17 people have died overall, with hundreds injured and tens of thousands evacuated.
President Xi Jinping has ordered "all out" rescue and relief efforts. He also called for treating the injured, relocating affected residents, and improving disaster response work.
Typhoons that bring heavy flooding are common in China at this time of year. Maysak is the first to make landfall in the country for the 2026 season.
Another system, Super Typhoon Bavi, is moving across the Pacific and may reach China's eastern coast later this week, according to forecasts.
Authorities in Nanning warned that extremely heavy rain could slow rescue operations.
Experts say extreme weather linked to climate change is becoming a bigger risk for China, especially for its agriculture sector and local communities.
People in Guangxi said thousands are still trapped on rooftops, including in some mountain villages, because of the floods.
Official figures said about 60,000 people have been evacuated and around 90,000 people are affected in total.
State media has shown rescue teams wearing life vests and helmets, using inflatable boats to reach stranded residents.
In Hubei, at least two tornadoes caused major damage in cities.
Meteorologists said cold air from the north met warm air brought in by Typhoon Maysak, which helped trigger the tornadoes.
Tornadoes are rare in the region. The last one was recorded in 2021, according to state media.
Videos shared on Chinese social media showed strong winds moving through the cities of Ezhou and Huanggang.
One video, reportedly filmed from a restaurant, showed outdoor tables and chairs being thrown around by the tornado, while sparks flew in the air and diners shouted in fear.
Local media said a man in Huanggang was pulled from his high-rise apartment and fell 12 storeys to the ground after strong winds broke his windows and threw him out with his furniture. He is now in intensive care.
A student in Huanggang told the BBC he first thought it was "just an ordinary thunderstorm" until he saw "things started flying through the air outside" the dormitory window.
"A lot of students were cut by flying glass," he said. "It wasn't until everything had finally stopped that I realized I had just lived through a disaster."
Other parts of northern China have also seen extreme weather in recent days.
On Saturday, a flash flood in Tongliao city in Inner Mongolia killed two cattle farmers, while record rainfall in Fushun city left three people dead, state media said.
In Fushun, average rainfall between 01:00 and 07:00 local time broke historical records.
As people wait for rescue and support, many are trying to find news about their family members.
At least 22 people were killed in China in May after heavy rain hit central and southern areas, with some places facing record-breaking rainfall, state media reported.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.