By Mardiyyah Abubakar
At least eight people died and 275 others were injured after powerful thunderstorms and strong winds swept through central China, authorities said on Tuesday.
The severe weather hit several parts of Hubei Province on Monday, affecting cities including Huangshi and Huanggang. Officials also reported tornadoes in some areas, while one person remains missing.
Authorities said most of the injuries occurred in Huangzhou District. Emergency teams evacuated 408 residents to safer locations as rescue and relief operations continued.
In southern China, Typhoon Maysak brought torrential rain and widespread flooding to Guangxi, killing at least two people and forcing the evacuation of more than 48,000 residents.
Officials in Nanning, the regional capital, raised the flood emergency response to its highest level after heavy rain caused dams to overflow. A reservoir wall also collapsed, sending muddy floodwaters rushing into nearby communities.
Floodwater submerged homes, shops and vehicles in several areas. Rescue workers wearing life jackets and helmets used inflatable boats to search for stranded residents and deliver emergency assistance.
Scientists say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events as rising global temperatures fuel heavier rainfall, stronger storms and more destructive floods.
China remains the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. At the same time, it leads global investment in renewable energy and has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
