A powerful typhoon named Gaemi is currently heading towards southern China, leaving a trail of destruction in Taiwan. The storm has claimed the lives of at least two individuals and caused a cargo ship to sink, leaving its nine crew members missing.
After hitting the northeastern coast of Taiwan with winds reaching up to 227kmph (141mph), Typhoon Gaemi is now moving towards Fuzhou in China’s Fujian province. The storm made landfall at midnight on Wednesday and continues to pose a threat as it progresses.
Reports from Taiwan’s fire department revealed that a cargo ship flying the Tanzanian flag sank near Kaohsiung, prompting the crew members from Myanmar to evacuate the vessel wearing life jackets. Despite their distress call to a nearby Taiwanese cargo ship, rescue efforts were hindered by severe weather conditions.
The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and plan to dispatch rescue teams as soon as weather conditions improve. Gaemi has caused significant damage in Taiwan, resulting in two fatalities and over 200 injuries.
As the storm progresses, cities like Taipei have declared a second day off, with closures across schools, government offices, and the stock market. Numerous flights have been canceled, disrupting travel plans for many.
China flood alert
Chinese authorities are on high alert as Typhoon Gaemi approaches Fujian, with the province issuing a second-highest flood alert level. The Ministry of Water Resources has warned of heavy rains that could lead to flooding in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces.
In Fujian,…
Original from www.aljazeera.com