China's typhoon toll rises to 46 dead, 25 missing

Second storm nears Taiwan

Fishermen tie down their boats as Typhoon Matmo approaches the eastern coast of Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, Tuesday, July 22, 2014. The eye of Typhoon Matmo is expected to make landfall in eastern Taiwan early Wednesday bringing heavy rain and winds with gusts over 130 kilometers per hour (85 miles per hour). (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hotel staff barricade lobby windows in preparation for Typhoon Matmo along the eastern coast of Keelung, northeastern Taiwan, today.

BEIJING — The death toll from the strongest typhoon to slam into China’s south in decades has risen to 46, with 25 other people still missing, the government said today.

The Civil Affairs Ministry said Typhoon Rammasun caused floods, hail showers and mudslides since it made landfall Friday. The storm destroyed tens of thousands of homes, damaged roads and ports and cut electricity and water supplies in southern Chinese cities.

It was the strongest typhoon to hit southern China in 41 years, with wind speeds reaching 130 mph, according to the China Meteorological Administration. It also caused 94 deaths in the Philippines and at least 11 in Vietnam.

A second storm, Typhoon Matmo, with sustained winds of 85 mph was approaching Taiwan and forecast to hit its east-central coast Wednesday morning. Torrential rains, exceeding 7.8 inches over 24 hours, were forecast for virtually the entire island.