Typhoon Mangkhut, among the most powerful storm in decades, has hit parts of China, after ravaging Philippines and Hong Kong and causing destruction and loss of life there. Four people have been killed in the Chinese province of Guangdong and more than 2.5 million people have been evacuated in Guangdong and on Hainan island, according to the state media. While in Hong Kong, the storm wrecked buildings and shut down the city.
The typhoon is now moving inland, and is expected to hit the Chinese regions of Guizhou, Chongqing and Yunnan later in the day.
In Hong Kong, which was hit hard over the weekend, videos on social media showed apartments swaying in the wind, scaffolding crashing to the ground and commercial buildings with windows shattered. Most shops and public services were shut, and about 900 flights were canceled at Hong Kong International Airport.
ALSO READ: Typhoon Mangkhut disrupts life in Hong Kong
Over 200 people have been injured, as put out by the officials. Despite avoiding a direct hit, winds in Hong Kong reached more than 110mph and as water levels surged by almost 12 ft in . The city managed to avoid serious casualties but now faces a difficult recovery as thousands still remain affected by flooding and travel disruptions.
In neighbouring Macau, the territory’s famous casinos were shut down for the first time in its history. The storm raged across the main Philippine island of Luzon over the weekend.
In the Philippines, dozens of people are still missing after the storm, which is being called Ompong locally, ravaged the country on . 33 miners have been confirmed dead and at least 29 are missing after a landslide hit a mining site in Itogon in Benguet province, according to local reports. Most of the deaths there were caused by landslides, government officials say.
Preparation and evacuation procedures have improved since Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 which killed more than 7,000 people. Warnings were issued, travel was restricted, schools shut and the army was put on standby in advance.
Mangkhut is expected to gradually weaken into a tropical depression by Tuesday as it continues to move inland.
Click here for Latest News updates and viral videos on our AI-powered smart news genie