Fujian raises flood response to Level II as Typhoon Saudel pummels Ningde

East China's Fujian province upgraded its flood control response to Level II on Wednesday as Typhoon Saudel and cold air brought torrential rains and heavily hit areas under Ningde, including Fuding, Fu'an, and Zherong county, suspending work, production, classes, and market activities.

The severe weather has flooded roads, uprooted trees, and caused rivers to swell in recent days. Fuding, a county-level city, bore the brunt of the storm, with rainfall in one town peaking at a staggering 417.8 millimeters on Tuesday. Floodwaters in some townships rose as high as a first-story building, paralyzing local traffic.

Authorities in Fuding scrambled emergency teams to clear roads and drain floodwaters. Rescue crews are conducting door-to-door checks in high-risk zones to fast-track resident evacuations.