People are paddleboarding and swimming down streets as giant storm floods northern China
Typhoon Bavi has stranded 1,800 villagers and flooded 46 rivers with water rising over two meters deep in some towns.
Imagine looking out your window and seeing your family car float away down a roaring river that used to be your street. That is the reality for thousands of people right now as a massive storm slams their homes.
WHAT HAPPENED
Typhoon Bavi hit eastern China and headed north, bringing heavy rains and wild winds. The storm is huge, covering an area as big as France, and has dumped water across several provinces.
In the town of Kuancheng, water rose more than two meters deep on local roads. Cars bobbed like toys in the current and crashed into each other before washing away.
In larger cities like Shenyang, residents had to swim or use paddleboards to get around. Some even tried to wake surf behind cars on flooded roads.
FACT BOX
- Water rose over 2 meters deep on roads in Kuancheng.
- About 1,800 villagers became stranded by the rising water.
- Typhoon Bavi has lasted 13 days, making it the longest storm in the region this year.
- More than 30 railway sections shut down, halting trains in Shenyang.
- Officials report that 46 rivers across the country have risen past warning levels.
WHY IT MATTERS
This storm is a major test of how well the region can handle extreme weather. It comes right after other heavy rains, meaning the ground is already too wet to soak up more water.
When vital train lines close and schools shut down, daily life stops. It shows how quickly nature can disrupt the systems we rely on every day.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Local rescue teams are working fast to move stranded villagers to safer ground. Their main goal is getting people out of danger zones.
The storm is moving north toward Korea. Forecasters warn that more heavy rain, high winds, and even tornadoes could hit other areas soon.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- How much will it cost to rebuild the damaged roads and homes?
- Are there any deaths or injuries that officials have not yet reported?
- How long will it take to pump the water out of the flooded city streets?
Transparency notes
Published: Jul 13, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.