Typhoon Saudel Batters Fujian: Floods, Landslides Disrupt Life

Torrential rain, fueled by Typhoon Saudel and seasonal weather systems, lashed east China's Fujian Province on Thursday, causing widespread flooding and landslides that blocked highways and stranded residents.

The provincial meteorological observatory reported that Typhoon Saudel, the 18th of the year, made its third landfall in Zhangpu County, under the city of Zhangzhou, at around 06:30. The storm's impact was felt across the region, with the provincial capital, Fuzhou, experiencing severe flooding on multiple streets as intense precipitation overwhelmed drainage systems. Local emergency teams were quickly mobilized to conduct relief and drainage operations.

Between 06:00 and 09:00, four townships in Fuzhou recorded rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters, with one village in Shangjie Town receiving 156.4 millimeters. The intensity of the downpour led Minhou County to upgrade its orange rainstorm warning to the highest red alert and activate a Level II emergency response for heavy rain. China operates a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe, alongside a color-coded weather warning system where red is the highest alert.

In Yongchun County, Quanzhou City, over 150 millimeters of rain fell in a short period. This caused severe flooding in low-lying areas of a village in Wulijie Town, stranding multiple residents. Fire and rescue personnel established an evacuation route and successfully moved all affected residents to safety.

The same county also witnessed a significant slope collapse along a section of National Highway 356. An estimated 2,400 cubic meters of debris blocked an 80-meter stretch of the road. Highway authorities dispatched specialized rescue crews and heavy equipment, including excavators to break up large boulders and trucks to haul away soil and rocks. Larger crushers were also brought in as repair work continued in an orderly manner to clear the route.