Severe weather alerts are in place as the remnants of Typhoon Danas sweep through southern China and Hong Kong. Authorities warned that the region could experience flash flooding due to anticipated heavy rain. The typhoon initially struck Taiwan on Monday, causing two fatalities and cutting power to over 600,000 homes. After making a second landfall in China, it has been downgraded to a tropical depression but is still projected to bring significant rainfall.
By early Thursday, parts of the area had already seen up to 17.2 inches of rain, and forecasts predict additional rain at a rate of three inches per hour through Friday, especially impacting Guangdong province, home to roughly 127 million residents. Landslides and flash flooding pose serious risks, as the local meteorological agency prepped for thunderstorms and wind gusts reaching up to 73 miles per hour.
In Hong Kong, the situation is similarly dire, with the combination of the typhoon’s remnants and monsoon rains expected to deliver torrential downpour. Schools were closed on Friday, and a red rain warning was issued, indicating powerful rains of over 1.9 inches per hour. The city has also recorded wind gusts of 43 miles per hour, compelling the weather agency to encourage residents to remain indoors amid warnings of violent gusts. Authorities predict that these extreme weather conditions may persist until Friday, with residents advised to stay alert.
