Typhoon Narra, a powerful storm that formed in the South China Sea, made landfall this week, first striking China's southern Guangdong province before moving into northern Vietnam. The storm packed sustained winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph) and dumped record-breaking rainfall, overwhelming drainage systems and triggering flash floods and landslides.
In China, the coastal city of Zhanjiang was among the hardest hit, with floodwaters reaching waist-deep in some neighborhoods. Authorities reported at least 25 deaths, with dozens more injured. More than 300,000 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters as waters inundated homes, businesses, and farmland. Emergency crews worked through the night to rescue stranded residents, using boats and helicopters to reach those trapped on rooftops.
Vietnam experienced even heavier rainfall, with some areas recording over 400 millimeters (15.7 inches) in 24 hours. The northern provinces of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, home to major industrial zones, faced severe flooding and landslides that buried several villages. The official death toll in Vietnam has risen to 34, with 12 people still missing. Over 100,000 evacuees have been displaced, and the government deployed military personnel to aid in search and rescue operations.
The storm caused power outages affecting millions, damaged critical roads, bridges, and levees, and submerged large swathes of agricultural land. In Vietnam's Red River Delta, a key rice-producing region, early estimates suggest that tens of thousands of hectares of crops have been destroyed, threatening livelihoods and food security. Ports and factories in both countries were shut down as a precaution, disrupting supply chains for electronics and apparel, two of the region's biggest exports.
Both governments have activated emergency response plans, allocating funds for relief and rebuilding. China's National Meteorological Center said Narra is the most powerful typhoon to hit the region in three years. As the storm weakens inland, residual flood risks remain, with rivers still straining levees. Scientists note that warmer ocean temperatures, linked to climate change, may have intensified the storm, leading to more destructive rainfall.
Tensions are high among residents and farmers, who criticize government warnings as insufficient. A farmer in Hai Duong province told local media: "We had no time to save our animals or crops. The water came like a wall." Officials defend their response, citing advanced warnings and rapid evacuation campaigns. The full extent of the damage will likely take weeks to assess.