The human cost of Tropical Storm Maysak continues to rise, with officials now confirming that at least 39 people have lost their lives in southern China. The slow-moving storm, which finally dissipated earlier this week, left behind a trail of destruction that is still being measured.
According to the Associated Press, the deadliest incident occurred in Hengzhou, where a partial collapse of a reservoir dam sent a wall of water surging into the city of more than 800,000 residents. Vice Mayor Ding Wei of Nanning city confirmed that 26 people died in that single event. Nine others remain missing across the broader Guangxi region, raising fears that the death toll could climb further.
“Most of the deaths were in Hengzhou, where the partial collapse of a reservoir dam sent torrents of water into the city and claimed 26 lives,” Ding Wei said. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with crews using boats and drones to reach stranded communities.
The flooding didn't just claim human lives—it also devastated local infrastructure and wildlife. A zoo in Guigang reported that more than 100 animals are missing, including two zebras, four porcupines, and dozens of tropical birds. In Hengzhou, residents were warned about escaped snakes from a nearby farm, prompting authorities to stock up on antivenom and issue safety guidelines for snakebites.
Maysak developed in the South China Sea earlier this month and made landfall in southern China after crossing Hainan Island and brushing northern Vietnam. Although the storm never exceeded tropical storm intensity, its sustained winds of about 50 mph were less dangerous than the catastrophic flooding it triggered. The storm moved slowly, overwhelming rivers and reservoirs and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.
The extensive damage to homes, businesses, roads, and farmland makes Maysak one of the most destructive weather events of the 2026 summer season in the region. In northern Vietnam, the storm toppled trees and ripped roofs from buildings before moving inland. The aftermath has left thousands homeless and caused widespread infrastructure losses.
This disaster comes on the heels of other severe weather events, including a Fourth of July storm that unleashed 75 mph winds across five states in the U.S. Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms are set to slam Illinois and Indiana this weekend, and New York has issued a travel advisory as another storm threatens Monday's commute.
As the region begins the long process of recovery, the focus remains on finding the missing and preventing further loss of life. The tragedy underscores the power of nature and the vulnerability of communities in the path of even modest tropical storms.
