Typhoon Fanapi kills 54 in China

BEIJING - Floods, landslides and heavy downpour brought about by typhoon Fanapi have claimed 54 lives in China’s Guangdong province, while 42 people were still missing, officials said Thursday.

Over 1.16 million people have been affected and around 79,400 people in low-lying areas were evacuated, China Daily reported citing a statement by the provincial flood control headquarters.

Helicopters were airdropping relief materials to the affected people Thursday.

More than 3,600 homes have been destroyed and over 35,900 hectares of cropland have been inundated, the officials said, adding that the typhoon has caused an economic loss of about 2.11 billion yuan ($315 million).

The ministry of civil affairs has sent 2,000 tents and 1,000 folding beds to Guangdong.

Typhoon Fanapi landed in Fujian province Monday morning, but wreaked the maximum havoc in Guangdong, which neighbours Fujian on the south. No casualties have been reported in Fujian.