Typhoon Saudel Triggers Deadly Mudflows in Jiangxi, China: 1 Dead, 11 Missing

12 Houses Damaged, 8 Completely Destroyed; Rescue Operations Continue
Over 160,000 Affected in Jiangxi Province as Authorities Raise Disaster Response Level

In Jiangxi Province, southern China, torrential rains brought by Typhoon Saudel (No. 18) triggered a landslide and mudflow, leaving one person dead and 11 missing.

China Typhoon Damage. Photo by Yonhap News

According to reports from AP and China's Xinhua News Agency on September 5 (local time), the landslide occurred around 4 a.m. that day in Mingkang Village, Gaoping Town, Suichuan County, Ji’an City, Jiangxi Province, damaging 12 houses. Of these, 8 houses were completely destroyed and 4 suffered partial damage.

Authorities managed to rescue three residents at the scene, but one of them died. The other two were reported to be in stable condition. Currently, 11 people are still missing, and fire, public security, medical, transportation, and telecommunications departments are conducting search operations.

As the heavy rain continued, landslides, floods, and mudflows repeatedly occurred across Suichuan County. Roads in the mountainous areas were blocked by debris, and with power and communications infrastructure damaged, some villages were temporarily cut off from transportation and communication networks. Rescue teams are repairing the roads leading to the landslide sites while continuing searches for the missing.

On the day of the accident, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources raised the geological disaster response level in Jiangxi Province from Level 4 to Level 3 and dispatched staff to the site. Jiangxi provincial authorities also issued a Level 2 emergency response for geological disasters in Suichuan County and activated a Level 3 disaster relief emergency response for the entire province.

Saudel made landfall twice in Zhejiang Province on August 28, crossed southern China, regained strength at sea, and then made a third landfall in Fujian Province on September 3. According to the China Central Meteorological Observatory, Saudel lasted more than 15 days from formation to dissipation and exhibited an unusual “6-shaped” movement path during this period.

AP reported that Saudel also caused extensive damage in Fujian Province, with more than 100 houses collapsing in parts of Putian City, and about 600,000 residents from both coastal and inland areas evacuated from high-risk zones.

The disaster also spread in Jiangxi Province. According to Jiangxi provincial authorities, since August 29, the impact of Saudel has affected a total of 161,500 people in 56 counties, cities, and districts across 10 prefecture-level cities. Some areas, especially including Ji’an City, suffered particularly heavy damage.

The Jiangxi Provincial Meteorological Authority stated that Saudel affected the province for about seven days, bringing the strongest winds and rain this year to Jiangxi Province.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.