Typhoon Gaemi Forces Massive Evacuations in Northeast China

Over 27,000 people were evacuated in northeast China as Typhoon Gaemi brought heavy rains and strong winds. Hundreds of factories suspended operations to avoid flood risks. The storm also impacted Fujian province and disrupted activities of chemical and mining companies.

More than 27,000 people in northeast China were evacuated, and hundreds of factories were ordered to suspend production as Typhoon Gaemi brought heavy rains, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

Gaemi lashed towns in China's coastal Fujian province on Friday with heavy rains and strong winds as the most powerful storm to hit the country this year began its widely watched trek from the southeastern coast into the populous interior.

Heavy rains caused water levels to rise in 40 reservoirs across Liaoning province, and the area is expected to experience torrential rain from early Sunday through Tuesday. Hundreds of chemical and mining companies across the province have suspended operations, and nearby residents have been relocated to avoid flood risks, Xinhua said.

The storm, which killed dozens in Taiwan and worsened seasonal rains in the Philippines, has affected almost 630,000 people in China's Fujian province, with almost half of them being relocated, Xinhua reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)