2016 Jiangsu tornado
Visible satellite imagery of the thunderstorm complex over Eastern China at 1:25 p.m. local time (05:25 UTC)—roughly an hour before the tornado struck Jiangsu
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| Type | Tornado |
|---|---|
| Formed | ≈ 2:30 p.m. (UTC+8:00) |
| Duration | June 23, 2016 |
| Max rating1 | Unknown tornado |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Casualties | 98 fatalities, 800+ injuries |
| Areas affected | Jiangsu (Funing County and Sheyang County) |
| 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale | |
On the afternoon of June 23, 2016, a severe thunderstorm produced a tornado over Jiangsu province, China. Striking areas along the outskirts of Yancheng around 2:30 p.m. local time, the tornado killed at least 98 people and injured 800 others (200 critically).
Background[edit]
During the late spring and early summer, a semi-permanent frontal boundary—called the Mei-yu front—emerged across eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan. This feature leads to prolonged periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms which frequently cause damage. Rainfall along this boundary tends to be particularly heavy in post-El Niño summers, such as the summer of 2016. On June 23, 2016, a band of intense thunderstorms roughly 970 km (600 mi) across developed along the Mei-yu front in eastern China. One particular storm over Jiangsu Province spanned 400 to 480 km (250 to 300 mi) and produced a tornado near Yancheng around 2:30 p.m. local time (0630 UTC).[1] The tornado was accompanied by a hailstorm.[2]
Impact and response[edit]
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Wikinews has related news: Tornado Stroke Yancheng, Jiangsu. Caused 98 Deaths. |
The storm struck the outskirts of Yancheng, causing tremendous damage. Wind speeds up to 125 kilometres per hour (78 mph) were observed at the outskirts of the city.[3] Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, with many completely leveled; manufacturing plants and rice mills suffered from similar destruction.[4] Trees, power pylons, and light poles were snapped by the tornado and vehicles were flipped.[3] First responders reported bodies strewn across devastated communities.[5] At least 98 people were killed and more than 800 others were injured,[6] including 200 in critical condition.[3] China's news service, Xinhua, called the event one of the deadliest disasters to hit Jiangsu in decades,[7] and the deadliest tornado to hit China in half a century.[8] Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang requested "all-out rescue efforts" to aid victims and survivors.[3] Hundreds of residents were left trapped in rubble.[7] The event was declared a national-level disaster.[5] Disaster response teams were deployed from Beijing that evening, providing 1,000 tents, 2,000 beds, and floodlights.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ Bob Henson (June 23, 2016). "At Least 78 Deaths in China Tornado; Midwest Dodges Major Damage". Weather Underground. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ a b Steven Jiang (June 23, 2016). "Severe weather, including rare tornado, kills at least 78 in China". CNN. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "China weather: Tornado and hail kill scores in Jiangsu". BBC. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ Javier C. Hernández (June 23, 2016). "Tornado Kills at Least 78 in Eastern China". The New York Times. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ a b Melanie Eversley (June 23, 2016). "Powerful tornado strikes China; At least 78 reportedly dead". USA Today. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ "江苏盐城龙卷风冰雹已造成98人死800人伤" (in Chinese). Sina Corp. June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ a b Merrit Kennedy (June 23, 2016). "Photos: 78 People Dead After Powerful Tornado Slams Into Eastern China". NPR. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ "China mounts rescue efforts as tornado toll hits 98". Bangkok Post. AFP. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
