China Battles Aftermath of Devastating Typhoon Gaemi

China is struggling to locate dozens of missing people and restore infrastructure in Hunan after Typhoon Gaemi, the year's strongest, caused massive destruction. Extreme weather conditions have exacerbated the situation. The typhoon has already killed 30 and left 35 missing in Zixing, affecting local communities and industries.

Rescue operations in China are in full swing as emergency teams strive to find dozens of people still missing following Typhoon Gaemi, which struck Hunan province. The typhoon, the most powerful of the year, hit on July 25, wreaking havoc on the region.

In the city of Zixing, rainfall reached a staggering 673.9 mm (26.5 inches) in just 24 hours, accounting for a quarter of the annual rainfall. Gaemi has claimed 30 lives and left 35 people missing. The storm caused extensive damage, including power outages in 149 villages, communication cuts in 78 villages, and the destruction of 1,641 houses.

Premier Li Qiang has called for every effort to rescue the missing, repair infrastructure, and mitigate disaster risks like landslides. The severe weather has impacted 1.15 million people across Hunan and caused direct economic losses totaling 6.13 billion yuan ($849 million). More extreme weather is expected in August, adding to the challenges facing rescue and recovery operations.

(With inputs from agencies.)