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Typhoon Prapiroon kills at least 48 in China
Beijing, Aug 5, 2006 Typhoon Prapiroon killed at least 48 and left 15 others missing after crashing ashore in southern China, state media reported Saturday, as flash floods and torrential rains continue to plague the region. At least 38 people in Guangdong province perished while 14 more were missing amid rains and floods, Xinhua news agency said in its latest casualty report, quoting local flood control authorities. Although Prapiroon was downgraded to a tropical storm by early Friday, some 3.7 million people in Guangdong were hit while 7,000 buildings collapsed, with initial economic losses set at 2.4 billion yuan (300 million dollars), Xinhua said. The storm moved northwest to neighboring Guangxi region after hitting land, bringing havoc to various cities and counties and causing flash floods, torrential rains and gale force winds. Ten people across Guangxi were killed in landslides and flash floods, while one person was missing, Xinhua reported. The local civil affairs bureau said 1.43 million people in 28 counties and urban areas were affected by the storm and nearly 220,000 people have been relocated, the report said. Meanwhile, the Guangdong-based Information Times newspaper reported Saturday that two tornados hit Nanhai city, tearing off factory roofs, knocking down trees and killing nine people. The death toll has been rising in Guangdong and Guangxi as relentless rains and gusting winds batter the provinces following Prapiroon's landfall near Yangjiang city late Thursday. State television footage showed flood control officers wading muddy waters to rescue children and residents trapped by floods. Flood water submerged houses and cars, knocked down trees and paralysed local transportation. Prapiroon was southern China's sixth typhoon of the storm season, which started more than a month earlier than usual with Typhoon Chanchu. It made landfall on May 18. The worst was Bilis, which struck on July 14 and hovered over southern China for 10 days, killing at least 612 people, according to earlier state reports. More than 1,400 people have been killed in China due to typhoons this season, according to the Red Cross, which this week appealed for 3.8 million euros (five million dollars) to help survivors. Prapiroon, which means Rain God in Thai, formed in the South China Sea and became a typhoon at noon on Wednesday, Xinhua said. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links China News from SinoDaily.com
Japan's Abe makes secret war shrine visit: reports
Tokyo, Aug 5, 2006 Shinzo Abe, the front-runner to be the next prime minister, secretly went in April to a controversial war shrine, local media reported Friday, sparking criticism from China and South Korea. |
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