Taiwan races to rescue sailors stranded by Typhoon Gaemi as China warns of wide impacts: Live updates
More than 290,000 people in China have been forced to flee their homes
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Taiwan’s coast guard is working to rescue dozens of sailors stranded off its southern coast after Typhoon Gaemi sank one freighter and left eight others stranded.
The typhoon flooded streets, knocked out power and killed at least five people in Taiwan before heading to China. It earlier killed 22 people in the Philippines.
Seventy-nine crew members are awaiting rescue on the eight freighters that were stranded, the coast guard said. Nine people were rescued earlier today from a Togo-flagged freighter stranded on a beach.
Typhoon Gaemi made landfall in China on Thursday evening, after officials issued widespread flood warnings and evacuations.
More than 290,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Fujian while emergency responses were put in place and flights and trains have been cancelled.
Gaemi is forecast to unleash intense rainfall in at least 10 Chinese provinces, including the capital Beijing, in the coming days, areas that have already been soaked by days of rainfall.
Gaemi has drawn comparisons with Typhoon Doksuri last year, which triggered historic flooding as far north as Beijing and caused nationwide losses of nearly $30bn.
Philippines coast guard 'overwhelmed' as thousands stuck in floodwater while river swells
Rescuers in the Philippines are responding to hundreds of pleas from residents stuck amid floodwaters with the coast guard "overwhelmed" as rainfall from Typhoon Gaemi continues to pound the archipelago.
In Marikina city in the eastern fringes of the Manila region, the continuing downpour swelled a major river, prompting many residents to flee to safety.
The strong currents swept away a steel cargo container, refrigerators, pieces of home furniture and tree trunks, according to the Associated Press.
Some residents called radio stations and asked to be rescued by authorities from rooftops or upper floors of their low-slung houses amid rising floodwaters.
Mayor Jeannie Sandoval of Malabon, a flood-prone city in the northern section of the capital region, assured one alarmed mother that rescue boats and trucks have been scrambling all day to help trapped residents like her.
"Stay calm. We're doing everything we can. The local government won't leave you behind," Sandoval told the DZRH radio network.
Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said the Philippine coast guard, where he serves as a spokesperson, has been overwhelmed with pleas from floodwater-trapped residents in the capital to be rescued, including those who were waiting for help from rooftops.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered authorities to speed up efforts to deliver food and other aid to isolated rural villages.
"People there may not have eaten for days," Mr Marcos said in a televised emergency meeting.
The Philippine coast guard said more than 350 passengers and cargo truck drivers and workers were stranded in seaports after ferries and cargo ships were prohibited from venturing into rough seas.
It added that coast guard personnel helped more than 200 residents evacuate a coastal village in Batangas province south of Manila where storm-tossed waves have hit coastal houses.
Typhoon Gaemi intensifies into 'super typhoon' ahead of landfall
Typhoon Gaemi, which is churning towards Taiwan and due to make landfall in the coming few hours, has intensified into a super typhoon, according to the Philippines' weather agency.
"Carina intensifies into super typhoon and is about to make landfall over northern Taiwan," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) wrote on X, referring to the storm by its Filipino name.
The storm's outer winds are already battering Taiwan and earlier caused devastation in the Philippines, with heavy rain and powerful gusts contributing to floods and landslides that have killed at least 13 people.
Typhoon Gaemi could intensify into a super typhoon. What does that mean?
As Typhoon Gaemi approaches Taiwan, it has escalated into a super typhoon before making landfall. But what exactly is a super typhoon, and why is there such concern?
What is a super typhoon?
A super typhoon is an extremely powerful tropical cyclone in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, distinguished by sustained wind speeds of at least 150 miles per hour (241 kilometres per hour). The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) uses this classification, placing super typhoons on par with the most intense hurricanes in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, specifically Category 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Historically, super storms like Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013 and Typhoon Meranti in 2016 have caused widespread destructions. More than 14 million people were affected by Haiyan. It also pushed 2.3 million people into poverty.
Typhoon Meranti which struck the Philippines, Taiwan and mainland China, was one of the strongest tropical cyclones on record, causing more than $2.6 billion in damage and leading to more than 30 deaths.
In photos: Roads submerged, thousands evacuating as relentless rain continues to batter the Philippines
When will Typhoon Gaemi make landfall in Taiwan?
Gaemi, a super typhoon, is churning closer to Taiwan with 10-min sustained winds of 185kmh (115mph) gusting to 230 kmh, already bringing heavy rainfall to the island.
As of 6pm local time (11am BST), the outer rings of the storm had almost reached the island, according to the latest information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The storm was forecast to make landfall by 2am local time on Thursday (7pm BST Wednesday). However, the sheer size of the storm meant that its outer rings would be completely covering Taiwan hours before that.
China's Met issues 'red alert' for Typhoon Gaemi
China's National Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert, the highest level, for Typhoon Gaemi, according to Xinhua.
A red alert is the highest level of warning in China's color-coded alert system, which typically signifies that extreme weather conditions are imminent or occurring, and it calls for immediate action to ensure safety.
The alert means residents in affected areas should prepare for strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding.
The powerful storm, now classified as a super typhoon, is expected to bring severe weather conditions as it approaches the northern coast of Taiwan and China's Fujian province.
China suspends trains ahead of Typhoon Gaemi
China Railway Nanchang Group has suspended all its passenger trains tomorrow in Fujian province ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Gaemi, state media reports. Earlier, Shenzen’s rail authority suspended 260 trains for Thursday. Typhoon Gaemi will make landfall in Taiwan today and then head towards China’s Fujian province, which is already hit hard by weeks of extreme rain and deadly flooding.
China maritime safety administration launches level 1 emergency response ahead of Typhoon Gaemi
In China, the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration has launched a Level I emergency response, the highest alert, in anticipation of Gaemi’s arrival.
The typhoon is expected to move towards China’s Fujian province by Friday, prompting authorities to prepare for significant disruptions and potential evacuations.
Several train operators have already cancelled railway services on Thursday.
After battering Taiwan, Typhoon Gaemi will head towards China’s Fujian province, which is already hit hard by weeks of extreme rain and deadly flooding.
Flight Disruptions at Fuzhou Changle International Airport Due to Typhoon Gaemi
State media reports that Fuzhou Changle International Airport has canceled 13 flights and delayed the departure of multiple others as Typhoon Gaemi approaches. The super typhoon, which has already intensified significantly, is expected to bring severe weather conditions to the region.
Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on flight statuses and to make necessary arrangements.
All domestic flights and over 200 international flights were cancelled in Taiwan earlier.
Several operators in China have also cancelled railway services on Thursday.
Typhoon Gaemi intensifies into a super typhoon. What does that mean?
As Typhoon Gaemi approaches Taiwan, it has escalated into a super typhoon before making landfall. But what exactly is a super typhoon, and why is there such concern?
What is a super typhoon?
A super typhoon is an extremely powerful tropical cyclone in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, distinguished by sustained wind speeds of at least 150 miles per hour (241 kilometres per hour). The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) uses this classification, placing super typhoons on par with the most intense hurricanes in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, specifically Category 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Historically, super storms like Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013 and Typhoon Meranti in 2016 have caused widespread destructions. More than 14 million people were affected by Haiyan. It also pushed 2.3 million people into poverty.
Typhoon Meranti which struck the Philippines, Taiwan and mainland China, was one of the strongest tropical cyclones on record, causing more than $2.6 billion in damage and leading to more than 30 deaths.
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