Typhoon Talim Hits Mainland China; 72 Dead; Thousands Homeless

At least 73 people have died in eastern China as Typhoon Talim slammed into the coast, triggering floods and landslides. China’s Xinhua News Agency reported that around 53 people have died in Anhui Province, the worst-hit, as heavy rain began falling last Thursday as the storm approached land. Fujian, Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi provinces have also been affected.

More than 20 people are reported missing. The BBC reported that property damage estimates are around $1 billion. A number of homes and commercial structures have been destroyed.

The storm hit China on Thursday after moving over Taiwan, where two people were reported to have died. Roads, buildings, telephone exchanges, electricity and water supplies were all severely affected. Up to 1 million persons were reportedly evacuated from low-lying areas before the storm hit.