Typhoon Doksuri Ravages Southern China, Causes Evacuations and Economic Losses
BEIJING/TAIPEI, July 28 – Typhoon Doksuri made landfall in southern China on Friday, causing widespread destruction and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people. The powerful storm brought heavy rainfall and violent gusts of wind to the region, resulting in fires caused by whipped power lines, uprooted trees, and the closure of factories and shopping malls.
According to state media, Doksuri is the second-strongest typhoon to hit southeastern Fujian province since Typhoon Meranti in 2016. The storm prompted the closure of schools and businesses, as well as the evacuation of workers from offshore oil and gas fields. State-run CCTV reported that Doksuri has affected over 724,600 people, with 124,400 evacuated and resettled. The storm has also caused direct economic losses amounting to 52.27 million yuan ($7.30 million).
In the city of Quanzhou, located in Fujian, 39 people suffered minor injuries and more than 500,000 homes lost power, according to the government’s official WeChat account. However, there have been no immediate reports of fatalities. In 2016, Typhoon Meranti resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people when it made landfall near the port city of Xiamen.
As of 1 p.m. local time, Doksuri’s wind speed was clocked at 137 kph (85 mph), according to the National Meteorological Center. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) reported that Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Putian experienced rainfall exceeding 50 mm (2.165 inches) per hour.
Residents in affected areas expressed fear and concern about the storm’s impact, with many recalling the devastation caused by Typhoon Meranti. A local resident surnamed Zhuang said, “The whole of Xiamen didn’t go to work this morning. There are no cars on the roads, and factories and shopping malls are closed. Guess people are scared after Meranti.”
Social media videos captured the extent of the damage caused by Doksuri. Power lines were seen sparking and bursting into flames, while massive trees were uprooted and left in the middle of roads. Residents reported power and water cuts in certain areas and took measures such as makeshift barriers at doors to prevent flooding.
Typhoon Doksuri, the second typhoon to hit China in less than two weeks, is predicted to move north and bring heavy rain to 10 provinces. Experts expect the storm to weaken as it continues in a northwesterly direction. However, the agricultural province of Anhui, known for its corn, rice, soybean, and cotton crops, may still face potential damage.
Before reaching China, Typhoon Doksuri wreaked havoc in the Philippines and Taiwan. In the Philippines, a ferry sank near Manila, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 people. The storm also caused casualties as it crossed southern Taiwan, toppling trees and cutting power to hundreds of thousands of homes.
The Taiwanese weather bureau issued a “hurricane-force-wind” alert for the islands of Penghu and Kinmen, warning residents to prepare for gusts of over 155 kph (96 mph). The storm disrupted transportation, with over 200 domestic and international flights suspended or delayed and railway services between southern and eastern Taiwan halted.
As Typhoon Doksuri continues its path, authorities in affected areas remain vigilant and continue to monitor the situation closely.
*(Reporting by Bernard Orr in Beijing, Yimou Lee in Taipei; Additional reporting by Dominique Patton, Yuhan Lin, Kevin Huang, Ethan Wang, and the Beijing and Shanghai newsrooms; Editing by Michael Perry and Neil Fullick)*