Typhoon Fitow triggered eastern China

Torrential rains caused by Typhoon Fitow continued to lash Shanghai City and Zhejiang Province in eastern China, inundating roads, houses and causing river dike breaches. Zhejiang saw average precipitation of 201 mm, with 717 mm in worst-hit Yuyao City, according to the Zhejiang provincial hydrological bureau. The typhoon had left six people dead and four missing, according to China's News Agency (Xinhua). The storm has affected seven million people in 11 cities in Zhejiang, causing direct economic damage of 12.4 billion yuan (2 billion US dollars). Several stretches of river embankments in Zhejiang reported danger due to high water levels. The city saw average precipitation of 390 mm. Rescuers are struggling to seal the breach. Downpours also triggered mud flows, partial power blackouts and chaotic traffic in the coastal city. School classes were suspended. The heavy rains also hit neighboring Shanghai. Shanghai reported an average precipitation of 152.9 mm, the highest in a single day since 1961, said the municipal meteorological station.