Typhoon “Shandar” (沙德尔) struck China three times with heavy winds and torrential rain, triggering widespread floods and unquantifiable property damage alongside unannounced reservoir releases, according to regional reports from September 2026. Multiple provinces including Fujian and Zhejiang faced severe inundations, while border regions like the China-Nepal and China-Laos borders also reported significant disaster impacts.
Path of the Storm and Regional Flooding
Initially projected to land in Taiwan, the storm abruptly changed course to strike Taizhou, Zhejiang, on August 28, before tracking through Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan. Former Hong Kong Observatory Director Lam Chiu-ying noted that in 50 years of meteorological work, he had never witnessed such a peculiar storm path. After weakening and losing its designation on August 30, the storm’s residual vortex redeveloped over the ocean and struck the western coast of Guangdong on September 1.
Reservoir Releases and Citizen Impact in Zhejiang
On September 1, Cangnan County in Wenzhou opened the Qiaodun and Wujiayuan reservoirs for flood discharges, submerging shops, vehicles, and farmland under strict “five-stops” emergency measures. Ms. Lin, a resident of Lingxi Town’s Batou Village, reported water levels reaching one meter inside homes with no functional drainage systems. By September 2, Ruian City also opened multiple reservoirs, causing severe flooding that left the Tangxia township surrounded by water and residents stranded without water or food.
Did You Know? Former Hong Kong Observatory Director Lam Chiu-ying stated that in his 50 years of meteorological work, he had never witnessed a storm track like the one exhibited by this weather system before it redeveloped over the ocean on September 1.
Fujian Province and Industrial Park Inundations
In Fujian, Fuding City’s Nanxi and Sangyuan reservoirs discharged water simultaneously without prior notification to residents, leading to severe flooding in Fuding, Diantou, and Bailin towns by the morning of September 1. Ms. Zhang, a Bailin town resident, stated that floodwaters rose rapidly around 5 a.m. without any evacuation warnings. On September 3, Fuzhou, Putian, and Zhangzhou enacted work, production, school, and market suspensions as Fuzhou large reservoirs discharged water and Putian’s Mulanxi riverbanks breached, flooding areas such as the Hualin Industrial Park.
Expert Insight: According to editorial analysis based on the provided material, the simultaneous discharge of multiple regional reservoirs without timely downstream notification highlights a recurring systemic vulnerability in crisis communication during major meteorological events.
Border Disasters and Information Transparency Contrasts
Severe impacts also hit China’s border regions, including a mudslide at the Gelung Port on the China-Nepal border with missing persons, heavy rains and reservoir overflow in Mohan Town on the China-Laos border, and severe flooding in Ningming County on the China-Vietnam border. Independent analysis media outlet “The Dialogue” reported that while the Nepalese government publicly disclosed casualty numbers and allowed independent reporting following border mudslides, the Chinese Communist Party authorities restricted independent reporting and focused heavily on positive propaganda. Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank special advisor Chen Wenjia noted that this discrepancy stems from prioritizing stability and public opinion risk management over transparent oversight.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the storm make its initial landfall?
The storm landed in Taizhou, Zhejiang, on August 28 after changing its initial projected path toward Taiwan.
Which reservoirs in Zhejiang were opened for flood discharge on September 1?
Cangnan County’s Qiaodun Reservoir and Wujiayuan Reservoir were opened, according to local reports.
What issues did analysts highlight regarding the disaster response?
According to Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank special advisor Chen Wenjia, authorities prioritized stability and information control to mitigate public opinion risks, contrasting with neighboring response models.
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