Summary of Key Points
This news report focuses on the unprecedented severe flood that hit Putian, Fujian, in September 2026: Typhoon Saudel, which had already dissipated in Guangdong and been officially declared extinct by the authorities, made a bizarre “resurrection,” re-strengthened, and returned to strike the coastal areas of Fujian and Guangdong. It brought record-breaking rainfall of over 500 millimeters in some areas of Putian—equivalent to the annual rainfall in many cities in the north. The Mulanxi River basin, for which significant investments had been made over the years to mitigate flooding and which had long been rid of the label of “flood corridor,” suddenly experienced the collapse of its flood control dams. The entire Huating town was severely flooded, with the damage even exceeding that of the catastrophic flood in 1998. As a result, numerous houses have collapsed, people are missing, and hundreds of workers in the industrial park are trapped without food supplies. Emergency evacuation and rescue efforts are underway. This extreme disaster is not incidental; it is fueled by the current once-in-70-years El Niño phenomenon and global warming, which will significantly increase the likelihood of such extreme weather events in the future.
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Detailed Analysis
1. The severity of the flood in Putian far exceeds the average person's understanding
Typical “heavy rains” in this region result in daily rainfall of around 100-200 millimeters, but this time, some villages in Putian received 500 millimeters in just one day, equivalent to the annual rainfall of northern cities in 24 hours. The impact on local residents is evident: many say that even the 1998 flood did not reach their homes, whereas this time the water reached the first floor stairs (10 steps high), with water levels approaching 2 meters, causing the collapse of many old houses. In the Hualin Industrial Park, where most shoe factories are located, hundreds of workers are trapped with no access to water, electricity, or food. A small vendor who has been operating in the night market for nine years described the water as so high that it reached his chest, nearly swept him away. Thousands of people have been evacuated urgently, and many are still missing, creating immense pressure on rescue efforts.
2. The Mulanxi River, which has been managed for decades, was not ineffective in this disaster
Many may wonder why the Mulanxi River, once a model for flood control projects costing billions and taking over a decade to manage, failed to protect the area. The reason is that the intensity of this rainfall far exceeded the design capacity of the flood control systems. It’s like using a door designed to protect against ordinary thieves being hit by a heavy truck. The direct cause of the disaster was the sudden collapse of a flood control dam in the Xihu section of Huating Town after days of high water levels, allowing the flood to surge into the villages without any warning.
3. The “resurrection” of Typhoon Saudel is a rare and unprecedented event
Most people are unaware that a typhoon can “revive” after weakening. After making landfall in Guangdong on September 3, Typhoon Saudel’s strength was greatly reduced due to friction with the ground and buildings, and it was officially declared extinct by the Central Meteorological Observatory. However, it soon re-strengthened and headed towards the coast of Fujian. This phenomenon is extremely rare in meteorological records. The process is simple: a typhoon is like a large rotating mass of air; while the lower part is weakened, the upper part remains intact and can be energized by warm, humid air from the southwest monsoon and cold air from the north, allowing it to regain strength.
4. The behind-the-scenes factors: Super El Niño and global warming
This extreme weather is not just bad luck for Putian; it reflects a significant change in the Earth’s climate. The current El Niño event, with exceptionally high sea temperatures, is one of only three recorded in over 70 years. The increased evaporation from the ocean results in more water vapor in the atmosphere, leading to extreme rainfall. Experts predict that the effects of this El Niño will continue until next summer, with 23 typhoons already formed this year, compared to the usual annual average. The frequency of extreme weather events, such as heavy rains, heatwaves, and cold snaps, is expected to increase in the coming years, making disasters that were once considered once-in-a-century or once-in-decades more common.
5. The impact on Putian’s economy and the national disaster prevention system
Putian is known as the “shoe capital” of China, with nearly half of the country’s sports brand manufacturing facilities located here. The severely affected Hualin Industrial Park, which houses hundreds of shoe factories, suffered extensive damage. The economic loss is estimated in billions. Many overseas orders and domestic e-commerce promotions will be delayed, and the local shoe industry will take at least one to two months to recover. This disaster serves as a reminder that existing disaster prevention systems, designed for events occurring every 50 or 100 years, are no longer adequate. Many coastal cities will need to upgrade their flood control and drainage systems to cope with more frequent extreme weather events.