Typhoon Gaemi heading towards China; Philippines reports 32 deaths so far

Typhoon Gaemi has weakened into a severe tropical storm and is heading towards inland China on Friday after making landfall on the east coastThe typhoon led to tree collapses flooded streets and also damaged crops in China but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damageMeanwhile five people died in Taiwan after Gaemi crossed the country at typhoon strength on Thursday before heading over the open waters to ChinaThe worst loss of life however was witnessed in a country where Gaemi earlier passed by but did not strike directly ndash the Philippines reported news agency AP The death toll has reached 32 and is steadily climbing local authorities said on FridayThe typhoon exacerbated seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines causing landslides and severe flooding As the waters rose the locals rushed to the rooftopsIn China Gaemi waned into a severe tropical storm after coming ashore on Thursday evening in the coastal province of Fujian but it is still expected to bring heavy rains in the coming days as it moves northwest to Jiangxi Hubei and Henan provincesAbout 85 hectares of crops were damaged in Fujian and the total economic losses are estimated to be around 115 million yuan USD 16 million as per Chinese media reports More than 29 lakh people were relocated because of the storm One person died while three are missing owing to the heavy rains that lashed the province this week in Gansu reported Xinhua News AgencyIn Taiwan residents and business owners mopped muddy water on Friday after homes and shops got flooded Several vehicles were washed away in parts of southern and central TaiwanFive people died owing to tree collapses while one person was killed in a landslide More than 650 people were injured the emergency operations centre saidPresident Lai Chingte paid a visit to Kaohsiung in the south and commended the citys efforts to improve flood control since following a 2009 typhoon that brought a similar amount of rain and killed 681 people Taiwans Central News Agency reportedLai announced that cash payments of USD 20000 New Taiwan Dollars USD 610 would be given to households in severely flooded areasPhilippinesThe worsthit country Philippines reported at least 32 deaths mostly because of flooding and landslides triggered by days of monsoon rains that intensified when the typhoon called Carina in the Philippines passed by the archipelagos east coastThe victims included 11 people in the Manila metro area where widespread flooding trapped people on the roofs and upper floors of their houses police said Some drownings and electrocutions were also reportedThe bodies of a pregnant woman and three children were dug out on Wednesday after a landslide buried a shanty in the rural mountainside town of Agoncillo in Batangas provinceEarlier this week Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr asked the authorities to speed up efforts in delivering food and other aid to isolated rural villagesWith AP inputs