Typhoon Sadler Strikes China’s Fujian Again as Floods Raise Dam-Breach Fears

Typhoon Sadler has struck China’s Fujian province for a second time after its remnants reorganized following an earlier landfall in Zhejiang and departure from Guangdong. The renewed system brought severe rain, flooding and landslide threats across the province.

Some areas received nearly 500 millimeters of rain in a single day, according to the report. More than 100 roads suffered damage, while parts of the province experienced torrential rain and widespread flooding.

Baoxi Reservoir in Fuding, under Ningde’s administration, reportedly faced a possible dam breach. The dam is about 90 meters long, and the landslide-affected section extends nearly 40 meters. The dam body in that area is reportedly only half its normal thickness. If it failed, downstream areas could face flooding more than half a meter deep.

Authorities placed waterproof sheeting over parts of the structure to limit further erosion from rain. They also brought in large numbers of pumps to discharge water and reduce pressure on the dam, while evacuating people in potentially affected areas.

Flooding also damaged parts of Putian. A social media account known as “Teacher Li Is Not Your Teacher” shared footage and said sections of the Mulan River embankment collapsed, sending floodwater into nearby villages. Yuangtou village in Huatian township was reportedly hit hard, with villagers and elderly residents trapped and families issuing urgent appeals for rescue.

The account also posted images of severe flooding around Xianhudong, where low-lying roads were submerged and nearby mountains faced landslide risks. Reports that escaped privately kept snakes had caused alarm were disputed by a community official, who said no businesses in the area kept snakes. The official said flooding had instead swept wild snakes from a nearby river onto the roads.