Typhoon Saudel Traps 2,500 Students as It Makes Third China Landfall
HKFP · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Typhoon Saudel made its third landfall on China's eastern coast Thursday morning, striking the city of Zhangzhou in Fujian province after regaining strength over the South China Sea . The storm brought extreme rainfall to multiple provinces, with more than 2,500 teachers and students trapped in a school compound in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, after flash floods hit the low-lying area on Wednesday . State authorities deployed drones to airlift emergency supplies including food and drinking water to those stranded . Fujian province suspended 24 passenger ferry routes, closed schools in multiple cities including Fuzhou, Quanzhou, and Zhangzhou, and halted work and industrial activities in Fuding city . The provincial emergency management authority warned of rainstorms and secondary disasters including flash floods and landslides, noting the region is experiencing "persistent, heavy rainfall" .
Key Points
- Typhoon Saudel made its third landfall in Zhangzhou, Fujian province on Thursday after earlier striking Zhejiang province twice
- More than 2,500 teachers and students were trapped in a Wenzhou school compound after extreme rainfall caused flash floods on Wednesday
- Authorities used drones to airlift food and drinking water to those stranded in the floodwaters
- Fujian suspended 24 coastal passenger ferry routes and closed schools in Fuzhou, Quanzhou, and Zhangzhou
- The storm is forecast to move west over Guangdong with heavy rainfall expected to continue until Friday
Why It Matters
Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events will increase as the planet heats up due to fossil fuel emissions . While China is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, it is also a global renewable energy powerhouse aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060 . Last week, a catastrophic flood along the Nepal-China Tibet border killed more than 1,200 people with over 4,750 missing, highlighting the escalating global risks of climate-driven disasters .
Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events will increase as the planet heats up due to fossil fuel emissions . While China is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, it is also a global renewable energy powerhouse aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060 . Last week, a catastrophic flood along the Nepal-China Tibet border killed more than 1,200 people with over 4,750 missing, highlighting the escalating global risks of climate-driven disasters .