Typhoon Gaemi, which made landfall with significant strength on Taiwan’s east coast Thursday night, has now weakened into a tropical storm as it continues to move inland across China. The storm caused substantial disruption in Taiwan before heading towards China, resulting in heavy rain, flooding, and damage. While no major casualties have been reported in China, the typhoon led to significant flooding, felled trees, and damaged crops. Economic losses in the Fujian province alone have been estimated at 11.5 million yuan ($1.6 million), with over 290,000 people being relocated due to the storm’s effects.
Taiwan experienced severe flooding as the typhoon passed through, with cars and scooters floating down streets in southern and central regions. The storm resulted in eight deaths, several injuries, and left one person missing. The hardest-hit areas, including Kaohsiung, saw waist-deep water and substantial damage to infrastructure. In response, President Lai Ching-te announced emergency aid, including cash payments of $20,000 New Taiwan Dollars ($610) for households in severely affected regions. A cargo ship sank off Kaohsiung Harbor, and the body of its captain was recovered.
The Philippines, which was brushed by the storm, faced its own disaster as the typhoon, known locally as Carina, intensified seasonal monsoon rains, leading to widespread flooding and landslides. The death toll in the Philippines has risen to 34, with many victims in the Manila metro area, where flooding trapped people in their homes. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expedited aid efforts to isolated villages, where people have been without food for days. A tragic landslide in Batangas province buried a shanty, resulting in the deaths of a pregnant woman and three children.
