World
11 killed, 66 injured as violent storm lashes China’s Yangtze River Delta
Beijing: At least 11 people were killed while 66 sustained injuries as high winds and hailstorms swept through the Yangtze River Delta region of China on Friday evening.
Following the extreme thunderstorm, with strong winds causing buildings and trees to collapse rescuers evacuated 3,050 people.
Reportedly, power services were interrupted but later restored, and collapsed trees that damaged vehicles as well as windows were being cleared.
The cities of Nantong, Huaian, Taizhou and Suqian in Jiangsu province were among the worst hit.
However, more than 1,200 firefighters were dispatched for rescue and evacuation work in Nantong.
As per local media, the heavy winds overturned a fishing ship with 11 crew members. Two sailors were rescued and the search operation for the others is underway.
Wind speeds were recorded at up to 45.4 metres per second (102mph) at a monitoring site in Tongzhou Bay.
More than 4,200 acres of crops and 6,000 houses were damaged amid deadly storm, with 13,688 people in several cities affected.
The cost of the damage from the storm was estimated at more than US$2.5 million.
Moreover, China’s meteorological authorities have predicted more extreme weather, including heavy rains for the next few days.