Devastation in Taiwan and China as Typhoon Gaemi Unleashes Chaos

Typhoon Gaemi caused significant damage in northern Taiwan, resulting in two deaths, widespread floods, and power outages before moving towards China's Fujian province, where it is expected to bring heavy rainfall. Taiwan experienced extensive disruptions, including school and office closures and numerous flight cancellations. Preparations for further flooding and relocations are underway in China.

Typhoon Gaemi swept through northern Taiwan on Thursday, claiming two lives, causing floods, and crippling traffic before crossing the sea towards China, where it's expected to unleash more torrential rain.

Gaemi made landfall around midnight on Taiwan's northeastern coast in Yilan county. As Taiwan's strongest typhoon in eight years, it brought winds up to 227 kph before weakening, said the Central Weather Administration. By 8:30 a.m., it was in the Taiwan Strait heading toward Fuzhou in China's Fujian province.

The storm disrupted power for around half a million Taiwanese households, though most are now restored, according to utility Taipower. It continues to bring heavy rain to Taiwan, with schools, offices, and financial markets closed for the second day on Thursday. Trains, including the high-speed line linking northern and southern Taiwan, remain closed until 3 p.m., and all domestic flights and 185 international flights have been canceled. Government data reported two deaths and 266 injuries due to the typhoon.

Chinese weather forecasters predict Gaemi will traverse Fujian later on Thursday, heading inland with diminished intensity, but heavy rain is still expected. Officials are bracing for flooding, issuing warnings in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. About 150,000 people have been relocated in Fujian, mainly from coastal fishing areas, as gale-force winds prompted Zhoushan officials in Zhejiang to suspend passenger waterway routes for up to three days. Guangzhou rail officials also halted some train services.

Simultaneously, north China is experiencing heavy rain from summer storms in a separate weather system. Beijing authorities issued a red warning for torrential rain expected throughout Thursday, with some areas anticipating up to 200 mm of rain in 24 hours.

(With inputs from agencies.)