According to China’s state-run news agency, at least 33 people are missing after rains from Typhoon Megi triggered landslides in two villages in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on Wednesday. Twenty seven of the victims are from Sucun village where homes were swept away, the other six were from Baofeng village.
Local authorities say they have mobilised heavy equipment and over a thousand people to help with search and rescue efforts. Residents have also been relocated to safer areas, reports BBC.
On Wednesday, China shut schools and cancelled dozens of flights as Typhoon Megi made landfall in the southern province of Fujian on Wednesday with winds of close to 120kph, said China’s official news agency, Xinhua.
Typhoon Megi killed four people and injured 625 when it hit Taiwan at peak intensity earlier this week, before reaching mainland China. At least one person has been confirmed killed by the storm in Fujian, with millions of homes left without power following severe flooding.
State media said that some areas of Fujian saw more than 300mm of rain in two days. Taiwan also reported similar levels of rainfall.
