Tropical Storm Gaemi Claims 7 More Lives in China, Death Toll Climbs to 22

Beijing: At least seven people were killed and three are missing in southeastern China due to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Gaemi. The total death toll rises to 22.

All seven deaths were reported in Hunan province, which is hit by heavy rainfall. The storm initially made landfall in Fujian province with typhoon strength before moving inland.

In Zixing, four people died and three are missing, according to a News Agency. Over 11,000 people have been evacuated so far.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that three other bodies were found in a nearby village, victims of a mudslide caused by the rain.

These deaths happened south of a tourist area where a mudslide killed 15 people and injured six others on Sunday morning.

In Hunan, heavy rains caused river dikes to break, leading to the evacuation of more than 3,000 people. By Monday afternoon, one of the dike breaches was repaired.

Tropical Storm Gaemi also brought heavy rain to northeastern China and North Korea, causing the Yalu River, which divides the two countries, to flood. Serious flooding was reported in the Chinese border city of Dandong and on the North Korean side.

(Inputs from AP)