Floods from receding Typhoon Haikui affect transportation and force evacuations in China

BEIJING, Sept 6 (Reuters) – Heavy rain from the remnants of Typhoon Haikui battered southeast China early on Wednesday, triggering flooding and waterlogging that forced cities in Fujian province to halt metro services, close schools and evacuate tens of thousands of people.

The rain broke 12-year records in the provincial capital of Fuzhou, meteorological officials said, prompting warnings that 49 reservoirs had exceeded flood limits.

More than 36,000 people were evacuated from their homes, power and communication connections were damaged, and almost 4,195 hectares (10,366 acres) of farmland were inundated, causing losses that the state broadcaster said amounted to 552, 1 million yuan (75 million US dollars).

Floods rushed through the streets of Fuzhou and the southern city of Fuqing, toppling motorcycles and garbage bins and stranding cars, video footage on social media showed.

Media reports showed submerged cars, abandoned shops and apartments, as well as mudslides and landslides.

Fuzhou received up to 554mm (1.8ft) of accumulated rain on Tuesday, the national meteorologist said, for an hourly record of about 150mm (0.5ft).

That exceeded the volume caused by Typhoon Doksuri in late July, which tore through Fujian, causing flooding and $2 billion worth of losses, state media said.

Fuzhou closed subway lines and suspended train services, while schools closed for a second day.

Floods have hit many cities in Fujian, exposing fragile urban drainage and other infrastructure, the state-backed The Paper said, citing a provincial official, Chen Yunong.

Waterlogging needs to be addressed in both old cities and new urban areas, Chen said.

Putian and Quanzhou are among six cities in other parts of Fujian flagged as being at risk of flash floods and landslides. The provincial government told local authorities to prepare to evacuate people from areas likely to be hardest hit.

The rains are expected to last until Friday in the central and southern parts of the province, where Typhoon Haikui made landfall early Tuesday before losing strength and being downgraded to a tropical storm.

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