**Typhoon Narra Triggers Flooding in Southern China, While Typhoon Saudel Threatens Japan and Taiwan**
*Hong Kong, August 27, 2026* — Heavy rainfall associated with Typhoon Narra caused extensive flooding in China’s southern provinces on August 25, submerging homes and businesses and prompting large‑scale evacuations. At the same time, Typhoon Saudel was tracking toward Japan and Taiwan, raising concerns of additional heavy rain and strong winds in the region.
**China**
The storm lingered over the Beibu Gulf (also known as the Gulf of Tonkin) for several days before delivering torrential rain to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the neighboring provinces of Hainan and Guangdong. In Chongzuo, a city famed for its karst limestone formations and waterfalls, floodwaters rose to the height of building rooftops and reached power lines. Local authorities evacuated more than **15,000 residents** after river levels surpassed the previous record set in 2008. State television reported that a total of **54,000 people** have been relocated across Guangxi due to the flooding.
On August 24, Chongzuo officials ordered the suspension of all commercial and tourist activities and warned evacuees not to return to areas deemed unsafe. State media indicated that heavy rain was expected to continue across parts of Vietnam and southern China through August 26, with forecasted torrential rains in Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan and Fujian.
**Japan and Taiwan**
While the Chinese flooding unfolded, Typhoon Saudel, classified as a medium‑strength system, moved toward southern Japan and northern Taiwan. Japan’s weather agency warned that Saudel could bring destructive wind gusts to the southwestern islands of Okinawa Prefecture, along with extremely strong winds and hazardous seas.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration said Saudel was expected to pass north of the island, bringing rain to northern Taiwan from late August 20 into the following day. The agency noted uncertainty regarding the timing and severity of the heaviest rainfall.
Separately, a tropical depression that struck southern and eastern Taiwan earlier in the week caused significant flooding in the cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung, which together house more than four million people. The depression resulted in **one death** and **four people missing**. Kaohsiung recorded nearly **one meter (3.9 feet) of rain** between August 23 and August 25, a total exceeding the rainfall the city received during Typhoon Morakot in 2009. Morakot, which devastated Taiwan, killed about **700 people** and caused damage estimated at up to **US$3 billion**.
Saudel is forecast to make landfall on the coast of Fujian Province in southeastern China between late August 27 and early August 28.
**Outlook**
Authorities in the affected Chinese regions continue to monitor river levels and coordinate relief efforts for displaced residents. In Japan and Taiwan, meteorological agencies are issuing advisories and preparing emergency response measures as Saudel approaches. Residents in the projected paths of both storms are urged to stay informed of official updates and heed any evacuation orders.
Article source: hongkongherald.com | Image credit: The Guardian
