Typhoon Saudel brings torrential rain, flooding to China’s coastal areas

Typhoon Saudel has brought torrential rain and flooding to China's coastal regions. The storm follows Typhoon Narra, which recently dumped heavy rain across several provinces. In Fujian, an urban area known for its tea plantations, firefighters rescued elderly individuals from waist-deep floodwaters. In a nearby village, a three-story brick building collapsed under the weight of the raging floodwaters.

Schools have been closed, public transport halted, and emergency flood protocols enforced across multiple coastal areas. This is the third landfall for Saudel, making it the seventh typhoon to hit China this year. Experts attribute the meteorological sequence to an exceptionally strong El Nino year. The United Nations has warned that the El Nino could intensify further in 2027, raising the risk of prolonged extreme weather.

Over 83,000 residents have been evacuated in Fujian alone as the storm moved inland. Some people are reported missing. Stronger, longer typhoon seasons are expected due to the current El Nino conditions, potentially extending into December.