At least 11 people were killed and one person was reported missing after two tornadoes struck China's central Hubei province on Monday, causing widespread damage to homes, vehicles and infrastructure, according to Chinese state media.
The tornadoes swept through parts of Huangshi, Huanggang, Ezhou and Xianning, where powerful winds reached up to 149 km/h (93 mph). Authorities said the severe weather overturned vehicles, tore roofs off buildings and disrupted daily life across the affected areas.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, the tornadoes occurred over a four-hour period on Monday evening, with wind speeds reaching level 13 on the extended Beaufort wind force scale. Emergency response teams were deployed to conduct rescue operations and assess the damage.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for "all-out efforts" to rescue those affected by the severe weather and flooding, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Meanwhile, weather officials are closely monitoring Super Typhoon Bavi, which is moving across the Pacific and is forecast to approach Taiwan before making landfall along China's eastern coast later this week.
Taiwan's weather authorities have warned that Bavi could bring more than one metre of rainfall to parts of the island, with the heaviest rain and strongest winds expected from Friday into Saturday. The storm is forecast to weaken slightly as it nears northern Taiwan but is still expected to remain a powerful typhoon.
Taiwan's Cabinet Secretary-General Xavier Chang said nearly 29,000 military personnel have been placed on standby to assist with disaster response and relief efforts if required.
Earlier this week, Bavi brought sustained winds of up to 289 km/h (180 mph) as it passed over Guam, Tinian, Saipan and Rota in the western Pacific.
Authorities in China and Taiwan continue to monitor the storm's path while urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow official weather advisories.
Sources: Reuters
