Society

Death toll rises to 18 as Fanapi sweeps S China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-22 20:31

GUANGZHOU - Floods and landslides due to heavy downpours brought by typhoon Fanapi have calmed 18 lives as of 11 am Wednesday in South China's Guangdong province, while another 48 remain missing, local authorities said Wednesday.

Roads are flooded as torrential rains caused by typhoon Fanapi hit Sanjia town, South China's Guangdong province, Sept 21, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

Some areas in Guangdong reported precipitation of over 640 mm in 24 hours, and rain-triggered geological disasters have destroyed over 1,200 homes and forced the evacuation of 78,300 people across the province, according to the provincial flood control headquarters.

Related readings:  Fujian hit by strongest typhoon so far this year  Typhoon Fanapi hits Fujian province  Typhoon injures 107 in Taiwan

Typhoon Fanapi, the 11th and strongest typhoon to hit China this year, landed in Fujian province at 7 am Monday, but wreaked most havoc in Guangdong, which neighbors Fujian on the south.

As of Wednesday noon, no casuality had been reported in Fujian.