On July 8, 2026, Typhoon Maysak struck southern China, resulting in severe flooding and rare tornadoes. The storm has devastated Renhe village in Guangxi province, displacing tens of thousands and leading to at least 21 fatalities.
Swift Rise of Floodwaters in Guangxi
Heavy rains began on Sunday, overwhelming the villagers of Renhe. By early Monday, floodwaters had surged to knee-level, quickly submerging homes. Zhou, a local resident, recounted, "The floods happened so rapidly, the water just came so fast. The villagers didn’t have time to take food with them when they were running away." The situation escalated as Typhoon Maysak caused rivers to swell and dam walls to break.
State media reported that approximately 60,000 people have been evacuated in Guangxi, with around 90,000 affected by the deluge. Rescue operations have been hampered by extremely heavy rain, prompting President Xi Jinping to order all-out relief efforts.
Extreme Weather Events Triggered by Typhoon Maysak
In addition to flooding, Typhoon Maysak has triggered thunderstorms and tornadoes in Hubei province, hundreds of kilometers away. Meteorologists attribute the tornado formation to a collision of cold air from the north and warm air from the typhoon. Local reports indicate that two tornadoes have caused destruction in cities like Ezhou and Huanggang, where strong winds have led to injuries and property damage.
Videos circulating on social media depict chaos as winds uprooted outdoor furniture and shattered windows. One man was reportedly
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Science. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
