President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts to rescue those affected by floods and disasters, according to CCTV, in the wake of deluges left by Maysak and ahead of the arrival of its super typhoon counterpart Bavi.

At least 15 people have been killed and another nine are missing in the storms, according to state media.

Xi stressed "the need to go all out in organising emergency rescue operations, treating the injured, and resettling affected residents, carrying out disaster prevention and relief work effectively", the state broadcaster said.

The call came soon after a landslide in northwestern Gansu province and at least eight people were killed as thunderstorms battered central Hubei

The Gansu landslide struck a village in Nanhe township in Tanchang county, Longnan city, at around 6.56am on Tuesday, according to local authorities, with 16 residents believed to be buried after 17 people were rescued.

Local authorities are making every effort to rescue those affected in Tanchang county, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Forecasters are warning of more torrential rain across various parts of the country that are home to around 200 million people.

Over four hours on Monday evening, winds of up to 149 kilometres per hour lashed the cities of Huangshi, Huanggang, Ezhou and Xianning, Xinhua reported citing Hubei's emergency management.

The National Meteorological Centre said the southeastern region of Guangxi and eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Shandong should brace for extremely heavy rain of up to 260 millimetres over the next 24 hours, which can trigger landslides, with other areas to China's northeast and south expecting tornadoes.

The nation is on alert for Super Typhoon Bavi, which is barrelling its way across the Pacific Ocean towards the eastern seaboard, with wind speeds of up to 288 kilometres an hour. (Agencies)



Edited by Tony Sabine