Typhoon Narra triggers floods, landslides across China and Vietnam

Typhoon Narra has brought widespread devastation to parts of southern China and northern Vietnam, with heavy rains triggering floods and landslides that have displaced thousands and damaged critical infrastructure.

In China's Guangxi region, rising floodwaters have forced the relocation of approximately 54,000 people, with over 8,000 individuals moved to emergency shelters, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Footage from the region showed brown floodwaters engulfing parts of Chongzuo city, submerging roads and low-rise buildings. Rescue teams in rubber boots waded through knee-deep water, using boats to evacuate stranded residents.

The typhoon, which has lingered over the Beibu Gulf (also known as the Gulf of Tonkin), is not expected to make landfall. However, weather officials warn that it will continue to bring heavy downpours to the region. At least 15 rivers in China have risen above warning levels at monitoring stations.

Across the border in northern Vietnam, days of torrential rain have claimed at least one life and displaced more than 4,300 households. The mountainous provinces of Lang Son and Cao Bang received between 236 mm and 300 mm of rain in the 24 hours leading up to Monday morning, triggering severe flooding and landslides.

The floods have also affected Quang Ninh province, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, inundating parts of the city and disrupting tourism, fishing, and transport. The typhoon has disrupted daily activities, snapping power connections for nearly 55,000 families and destroying more than 10,000 hectares of rice and other crops.

Forecasters predict that torrential rain will continue across Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, and Fujian, with downpours expected to last through Wednesday.