Heavy rain brought by Typhoon Soudelor, the 18th typhoon of the season, has triggered consecutive landslides and other damage in southern China, leaving at least 5 people dead and 9 missing.

According to Chinese state media including Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television (CCTV) on September 6, a landslide occurred at a village in Suichuan County, Jiangxi Province, at around 4 a.m. the previous day, destroying 12 homes.

The landslide resulted in 3 deaths and 9 missing persons, prompting rescue authorities to conduct search operations.

Xinhua News Agency reported that immediately after the landslide, roads were temporarily cut off and water, electricity, and telecommunications services were disrupted in the surrounding area, but access roads have now been mostly restored and emergency communication networks established.

Authorities stated that approximately 5,300 local residents were evacuated to safe areas in preparation for further damage.

Casualties were also reported in neighboring regions.

CCTV reported that 2 people died due to torrential downpours brought by the typhoon in Hunan Province, south-central China.

While the specific causes of death were not disclosed, CCTV explained that various disasters, including landslides, occurred locally due to the heavy rain.

Soudelor made landfall in China three times along an unusual path starting last week and dumped rain on Jiangxi Province for about 7 days.

Chinese media reported that Soudelor brought the strongest wind and rain to Jiangxi Province this year, displacing approximately 161,500 people in Jiangxi Province alone so far.

(Photo: Yonhap News)