China: Typhoon Rumbia brings heavy rain to northeast August 19-20 (red alert)

Event

On Sunday, August 19, Typhoon Rumbia brought torrential rain to the northeast of China, notably the port city of Dalian, leading 15,000 to evacuate to safer areas. On August 20, weather officials issued red alerts for new rainstorms, which could trigger flooding.

Context

Rumbia is the 18th storm of this year's typhoon season. It had already wreaked havoc across central and eastern China and has been blamed for at least nine deaths (e.g. seven killed after heavy rain struck Xuzhou). Around 1 million people have been impacted in total by the powerful typhoon.

Advice

Individuals in the northeast are advised to anticipate flooding and landslides amid the heavy rain. Minimize outdoor activities, be prepared for associated transportation disruptions, and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities.