FITOW Dumped 717mm of Rain in 70 hrs

Large Swathes of SE Asia Submerged Under Floodwater

FITOW affects at least 12 million people in E China

Torrential rains brought by Typhoon FITOW continued to batter Shanghai City and Zhejiang Province in eastern China, submerging roads, causing rivers to overflow and inundating tens of thousands of homes in the region.

“From Saturday to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Zhejiang saw average precipitation of 201mm, with 717mm in worst-hit Yuyao City, according to the Zhejiang provincial hydrological bureau,” said a report.

Flooding Shanghai, east China, Oct. 8, 2013. Torrential rains by Typhoon FITOW brought Shanghai to a standstill on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ting Ding)

Typhoon Death and Damage Toll

The typhoon’s death toll in China reached at least 6 on Monday, with four others reported missing.

The storm has affected more than seven million people in 11 cities in Zhejiang province alone, causing direct economic losses of 12.4 billion yuan ($2 billion), officials said.

Ningbo City received a record 390mm of rain between Saturday and  Monday, said the report.

FITOW made landfall in Fujian Province, south of Zhejiang, early on Monday, bringing torrential rains and causing widespread flooding  to east China.

Shanghai was also heavily affected. FITOW dumped about 153 mm of rain, the highest in a single day since 1961, between 8 pm Monday and 12 am Tuesday.

“A 15-meter-long flood prevention wall on the Huangpu River, which flows through the city, collapsed on Tuesday, flooding nearby residential houses,” said the report.

Related Links

• Okinawa Battered by 2nd Typhoon in 24 Hrs October 7, 2013
• FITOW Turns Deadly October 7, 2013
• Typhoon FITOW Forces Hundreds of Thousands of Evacuations October 6, 2013
• Typhoon FITOW Chased by Cyclone DANAS October 5, 2013
• Typhoon FITOW Makes Minor Detour October 4, 2013
• Two Cyclones Moving Toward Japan October 1, 2013
• WUTIP Hammers Central Vietnam October 1, 2013
• Typhoon WUTIP Headed for Vietnam, Laos, Thailand September 29, 2013
• USAGI Disaster Update: 25 Dead; 7,100 Homes Destroyed September 23, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale September 3, 2008
• Satellite Imagery

FITOW Turns Deadly

Typhoon FITOW: two dead; 574,000 evacuated, 177,000 displaced; homes destroyed; power cut off to millions

Typhoon FITOW made landfall in east China’s Fujian Province early Monday, with winds of up to 201 km per hour, China’s National Meteorological Center said.

As of Monday, FITOW had claimed at least two lives, forcing 574,000 people to evacuate and 35,795 vessels to return to harbor for shelter, said a report.

FITOW, the 23rd typhoon to hit China this year, continued to move northwest weakening rapidly, said the center. Authorities issued a “Red Alert,” China’s highest weather warning, on Sunday.

“Rainstorm and winds up to 201 km per hour slashed Cangnan County and the Nanji Island Township, and some houses collapsed in the county, said the Wenzhou flood control headquarters,” the report said.

Some 177,000 people have been displaced In Fujian province, and about 30,000 fishing boats called to shore for shelter.

“The typhoon has caused suspension of bullet trains in several cities in Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi and halted services on at least 35 lines that pass cities on the typhoon route, including services between Beijing and Nanjing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Fuzhou and Xiamen,” said the report.

The typhoon also forced he “suspension of bullet trains in several cities in Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi and halted services on at least 35 lines that pass cities on the typhoon route, including services between Beijing and Nanjing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Fuzhou and Xiamen.”

Dozens of flights from Zhejiang Province including flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Kunming weer cancelled, and  coach services between Shanghai and Wenzhou were also suspended on Sunday.

Typhoon USAGI, the 19th typhoon of the year, killed dozens of people in southern Guangdong province, destroying at least 7,100 homes and causing direct economic losses of 3.24 billion yuan ($529.5 million) late September.

Related Links

• Typhoon FITOW Forces Hundreds of Thousands of Evacuations October 6, 2013
• Typhoon FITOW Chased by Cyclone DANAS October 5, 2013
• Typhoon FITOW Makes Minor Detour October 4, 2013
• Two Cyclones Moving Toward Japan October 1, 2013
• WUTIP Hammers Central Vietnam October 1, 2013
• Typhoon WUTIP Headed for Vietnam, Laos, Thailand September 29, 2013
• USAGI Disaster Update: 25 Dead; 7,100 Homes Destroyed September 23, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale September 3, 2008
• Satellite Imagery

USAGI Disaster Update: 25 Dead; 7,100 Homes Destroyed

Typhoon USAGI Causes Major Disaster in S. China

The powerful typhoon has killed at least 25 people in south China’s Guangdong province, authorities said.

Previously, officials said the typhoon had also claimed more than a dozen lives in the neighboring Fujian province.

USAGI, the 19th and the most powerful typhoon to hit China so far this year, made landfall Sunday night with wind gusting up to 180 km/h.

The powerful typhoon has affected more than 3.56 million people in Guangdong province alone, forcing at least 226,000 people out of their homes, Xinhua said.

“The typhoon has also caused 7,100 homes to collapse and resulted in direct economic losses of 3.24 billion yuan (529.5 million U.S. dollars).”

“Thousands of people have been evacuated from low-lying coastal areas and border police in Yunxiao County are rushing to repair two embankment sections that were damaged by strong waves.”

On Sunday, thousands of flights in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hong Kong and Macao were canceled or delayed, and shipping between Fujian and Taiwan was suspended.

Hong Kong was hit by severe winds and torrential rain, forcing schools and businesses to close, but the territory escaped a direct hit by the typhoon.

USAGI Hits S. China, Kills 20

Typhoon USAGI kills at least 20 in southern China

The typhoon made landfall in Shanwei city in southern China’s Guangdong province at 19:40 local time on Sunday, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain, said a report.

“All bullet trains from Guangzhou to Beijing have been suspended and hundreds of flights from Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong have been cancelled. Schools in 12 coastal cities have suspended classes.”

China’s National Meteorological Center has issued the highest alert for storms, warning that most southern areas will experience torrential rains, specially Fujian and Guangdong provinces.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued a No. 8 storm warning, the country’s third highest level, at 18:40 local time on Sunday, warning USAGI would make landfall later in the evening.

Typhoon Usagi makes landfall in Shanwei city in southern China’s Guangdong province. Source: CNTV

USAGI Poses a Severe Threat to Hong Kong: The HK Observatory

Typhoon USAGI expected to slam Hong Kong by early Monday

The strongest storm to brew in the Western Pacific this year, is forecast  to pummel Asia’s financial center by early Monday.

The Hong Kong observatory has issued a Strong Wind Signal No. 3 and was expected to raise the warning level higher later on Sunday.

Typhoon USAGI poses a severe threat to the city, the HK observatory said.

Typhoon USAGI chased by Tropical Cyclone PABUK. MTSAT IR Satellite Image. Image recorded at 04:30UTC on September 22, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC. FIRE-EARTH Enhancement.

The following is text of HK Observatory’s latest Warming issued at 12:45HKT on 22.09.2013.

Tropical Cyclone Bulletin – Hong Kong Observatory

The Strong Wind Signal No. 3 is in force. This means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 km per hour are expected.

At 1 p.m., Severe Typhoon Usagi was estimated to be about 300 kilometers [km] east of Hong Kong (near 22.1 degrees north, 117.1 degrees east) and is forecast to move WNW at about 20 km per hour across the northeastern part of the South China Sea and towards the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary. [Hong Kong Observatory at 12:45HKT on 22.09.2013]

According to the present forecast track, there is a high chance Usagi would make landfall to the east of Hong Kong and will be closest to the territory around tonight and early tomorrow morning. Winds are now generally from the north and most parts of the territory are sheltered. However as Usagi gradually edges closer to Hong Kong, local winds will strengthen gradually. The Observatory will consider issuing the Gale or Storm Signal, No. 8 this afternoon to this evening.

The outer rainbands of Usagi are now affecting the vicinity of Pearl River Estuary. Local weather is deteriorating gradually. There will be heavy squally showers and rough seas.

If Usagi’s speed of movement matches with the time of the astronomical high tide, storm surge induced by Usagi may still lead to flooding in low-lying areas overnight. The public should be on the alert, and take precautions against strong winds and flooding as early as possible.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Tate’s Cairn were 48 km per hour.

Typhoon alert forces schools to close in southeast China

Meantime, China’s National Meteorological Center issued its highest alert, and local authorities in Xiamen City on the eastern coast of Fujian Province called off classes, suspended shipping transport between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, and evacuated at least 100,000 people.

“On Sunday, major Chinese airlines canceled flights to cities in south China’s Guangdong, Fujian provinces as well as Hong Kong and Macao, citing that local airports could be battered by heavy rains and strong gales starting Sunday noon,” said a report.

Taiwan

Authorities in Taiwan evacuated thousands of people from 36 townships in seven counties on Saturday, said a report.

Forecasters said “severe torrential rain” would continue today in the eastern and southern areas, while the north could experience torrential rains.

Waves break over the breakwater in Taitung, Taiwan as Typhoon USAGI moves through the Luzon Strait, Saturday Sept. 21, 2013. Photo credit CNA/ via Taipei Times.

Related Links

• Typhoon USAGI Eying Taiwan September 19, 2013
• USAGI Intensifies to Super Typhoon Force  September 20, 2013
• Cyclone PABUK Chasing Typhoon USAGI September 21, 2013
• Global Disasters/ Significant Events – September 21, 2013 September 21, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale September 3, 2008
• Satellite Imagery

Climate Catastrophes Cumulate in China

More roads transformed to rivers as extreme rain events continue to batter China

The concrete jungle bears telltale clues!

Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, July 19, 2013. The meteorologic center issued a blue alert for rainstorm on Friday after extensive flooding caused by an extreme rain event inundated the city. (Xinhua/Lin Yiguang) More images…

Tropical Cyclone Cimaron makes landfall in Fujian Province

The cyclone battered Fujian Province dumping up to 520 mm or rain in just a few hours .

Original caption:  A car is submerged among wastes swept down by mountain torrents and torrential rain in Gangwei Township in Longhai of Zhangzhou City, southeast China’s Fujian Province, July 19, 2013. Tropical storm Cimaron made its landfall in Fujian Thursday evening, bringing heavy rain and strong gales to southern part of the province. Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou and Putian were severely affected by the storm, with the rainfall in some regions like Longhai reaching 520 millimeters on Friday. About 123,000 residents were afflicted by the storm and no casualties have been reported yet. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan). More images…

Extreme Rain Events, severe flooding in Guangyuan force 41,400 people to relocate

Original Caption: Photo taken on July 18, 2013 shows the rising flood in Guangyuan City of southwest China’s Sichuan Province. A rain-triggered flood has brought serious damage to Guangyuan City from Wednesday, causing one person missing and forcing 41,400 people to relocate. (Xinhua/Gao Zhinong) More images…

Related Links

• Thousands of Towns and Villages Devastated by Floods in China July 18, 2013
• China to Become Top Wheat Importer after Major Crop Disaster July 17, 2013
• Fire Destroys 200 Houses in SW China July 17, 2013
• Flooding Destroys Town of Caopo in SW China July 16, 2013
• Typhoon SOULIK Affects 2 Million in China  July 15, 2013
• Hundreds of Thousands Evacuated as SOULIK Hits China July 13, 2013
• Extreme Weather Wreaks Havoc in SW China July 10, 2013

China: Yuan or Your Life?

Nature’s Response to China’s Violent Assault on Ecosystems?

About 2 percent of China’s population have so far been impacted by torrential rain, flooding and landslides

Hundreds, possibly thousands of people have been killed, and many are missing in southern China after days of apocalyptic rain, violent flooding and massive landslides.

At least 100,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged, with millions of hectares (acres) of crops spoiled by the deadly deluge.

Nanping City deluged by torrential rains. Original Caption: Photo taken on June 20, 2010 shows the waterlogging Nanping City, southeast China’s Fujian Province. Caused by continual torrential rains since June 18, rivers continued to swell in Nanping City, leaving 24 dead and 28 lost so far. (Xinhua/Wang Shanglin). Image may be subject to copyright.

Related Links:

• China Under Deluge
• Global Flooding and Landslide Headlines
• Photos of sinkholes in China
• 2010 Disaster Calendar [JUNE]
• 2010 Disasters

Toddler virus in China kills three in new outbreak

Three children die in China’s second outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease

At least three children have died in eastern China from hand, foot and mouth disease in the country’s second outbreak of the deadly toddler virus this year, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Monday.

The three victims were aged below one and came from Jian’ou City. Health officials reported another 113 cases since beginning  of October and warned that the disease was epidemic in parts of coastal Fujian province, Xinhua said.

The first outbreak of the virus in southern China killed at least 40 people in April and May, and sickened more than 27,000 others, mostly toddlers.

Hand, foot and mouth disease notice posted at a children’s hospital in Beijing. (PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images). Image maybe subject to copyright

“Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness, but the outbreaks in China have been linked with enterovirus 71 (EV71), which can cause a severe form of the disease characterized by high fever, paralysis and meningitis.” Reuters reported.

Enteroviruses usually spread through contact with the carriers infected blisters or feces.

Related Links:

• China launches nationwide fight against deadly EV71
• Deadly virus infects 1,884, kills 20

Fung Wong Races Towards China

Typhoon Fung Wong Strengthens on the Way to China

Having lashed Taiwan Monday morning, Fung Wong continued to strengthen as it headed towards China coast with winds of about 153 km/h (95 mph).

Fung Wong satellite image [Source: NOAA – MTSAT Northwest Pacific Imagery]

Fung Wong is expected to make landfall between Xiapu and Jinjiang counties on the coast of China by midnight (local time) on Monday.

About 275,000 people in China’s Fujian province have been evacuated.

Fung Wong, the eighth tropical storm to strike China’s coast this year, is reportedly the strongest one to date.

Fung-Wong – Tropical Rainfall Potential (TRaP)

Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) – NOAA