China prepares for more heavy rain from back-to-back storms

China's coastal regions and southern territories are gearing up for a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, as two successive storms, Typhoon Narra and Typhoon Saudel, make their way inland. Narra, which struck Hainan Island as a tropical storm on Tuesday evening, has drenched Guangxi, Hainan, and Guangdong provinces with torrential rain. Accompanying Saudel and tropical cyclones Gaenari and Atsani, a quartet of simultaneous storms are causing havoc across the Northwest Pacific and South China Sea.

Authorities in the affected areas have closed businesses, halted tourist activities, and evacuated tens of thousands of residents. Rivers have overflowed, inundating low-lying regions in Guangxi, and weather models predict more heavy rain in the coming days. Typhoon Saudel, forecast to make landfall between Zhejiang and Fujian provinces on Thursday or Friday, may bring its outer rain bands back toward Guangxi.

Meanwhile, Saudel recently caused disruptions in Japan, prompting warnings of strong winds and high seas. As it passed through Japan, nearly 35,000 homes lost power, and 92 flights were canceled in Okinawa Prefecture. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration projects Saudel to gradually weaken as it moves north, potentially bringing moderate rainfall to northern and southern Taiwan through Friday.