Dike breaches, over 100 houses collapse, many people missing in eastern China amid typhoon

An unspecified number of people are missing after more than 100 houses collapsed when a dike breached following heavy rains brought by a typhoon in an eastern Chinese city, state media reported on Friday.

Torrential rains lashed Huating town in the Chengxiang district of Putian city in Fujian province, and the dike breached Thursday, trapping people, Xinhua News reported.

“A number of residents remain unaccounted for, but the exact number is not yet clear. More than 100 houses collapsed in the town,” it added, citing local officials.

Authorities moved 1,261 people to 30 disaster shelters in Chengxiang district, while rains continued in Putian after Typhoon Saudel made landfall on Friday.

Weather forecasters have predicted more downpours over the next four days as Putian authorities raised the emergency response to the highest Level I.