China’s Second Typhoon in a Week Slams Zhejiang, Nearly 2 Million Evacuated

The wind didn’t just howl—it screamed. For residents of Wenzhou, a coastal city in eastern Zhejiang province, the sound of Typhoon Prapiroon tearing through streets was a nightmare they’d already lived seven days earlier. On Wednesday afternoon, the storm made landfall near the city with sustained winds of 140 km/h, triggering landslides and flooding that submerged entire neighborhoods. This is the second major typhoon to hit China in a single week, following Typhoon Gaemi which struck Fujian just days ago. In a massive evacuation effort, authorities have relocated nearly 2 million people from Zhejiang’s coastal areas, with Wenzhou at the epicenter of the storm’s path.

It’s a staggering number—and a stark reminder of the escalating frequency of extreme weather events. As of Thursday morning, the storm has weakened but continues to dump torrential rain, with some areas seeing over 300 mm in 24 hours. The evacuation, one of the largest in the region’s history, involved moving people from low-lying areas, reinforcing sea walls, and closing schools and businesses. But the question everyone is asking: why is this happening so fast?

A Second Storm in a Week: The Unprecedented Pace

To put this in perspective: China typically sees a handful of typhoons each year, but two major landfalls in seven days is rare. Typhoon Gaemi battered Fujian on July 20, causing billions in damages and killing at least 12 people. Now, Typhoon Prapiroon—named after the Thai god of rain—has taken a similar path, just 200 km north. “The rapid succession is concerning,” says Dr. Li Wei, a meteorologist at Zhejiang University. “The ground is already saturated from the previous storm. The risk of landslides and flash floods is exponentially higher.”

Indeed, the Chinese Meteorological Administration issued a red alert—the highest level—for parts of Zhejiang, warning of extreme rainfall and potential disaster. The storm’s track shifted slightly east overnight, sparing Shanghai from a direct hit but placing Wenzhou directly in the crosshairs. This is a city of over 9 million people, known for its manufacturing and sprawling urban landscape. The evacuation efforts here were particularly intense: buses, trains, and even fishing boats were mobilized to move people inland.

But the scale of the operation is also a testament to China’s improved disaster preparedness. After the devastating 2012 Beijing floods, the government invested heavily in early warning systems and evacuation protocols. “We’ve learned from the past,” says Wang Fang, a disaster management official in Wenzhou. “Our goal is zero casualties. That means moving people before the storm hits, not after.”

The Human Cost of Rapid Succession

Even with nearly 2 million evacuated, the human toll is already mounting. At least 5 people have been reported missing in Zhejiang, and rescue teams are searching through debris. In the rural areas outside Wenzhou, homes built on hillsides collapsed under the weight of water. The images from the scene are haunting: entire villages turned into islands, with only rooftops visible above the brown floodwaters.

This is not just a weather event—it’s a cascading crisis. The previous typhoon, Gaemi, had already damaged infrastructure, including power lines and roads. Now, repair crews are struggling to reach affected areas because the same roads are washed out again. “It’s a double whammy,” explains Dr. Sarah Johnson, a climate scientist at the University of Reading. “The resilience of communities is tested when events come so close together. There’s no time to recover.”

The psychological impact is also significant. Many evacuees are living in temporary shelters—schools, sports halls, and government buildings—for the second time in a week. “I thought we were safe after the first one,” says Liu Mei, a 62-year-old retiree sheltering in a Wenzhou high school. “Now we’re back here. It’s exhausting.”

Climate Change and the Intensification of Typhoons

Scientists have long warned that warmer ocean temperatures fuel stronger storms. The Western Pacific is currently experiencing a marine heatwave, with sea surface temperatures 2-3°C above average. This provides more energy for typhoons, making them more intense and potentially more frequent. A recent study from the University of Hawaii found that the proportion of Category 4 and 5 typhoons has increased by 30% over the past 40 years.

“What we’re seeing in China is consistent with climate projections,” says Dr. Johnson. “Warmer air holds more moisture, so these storms dump more rain. The risk of compound events—like two typhoons in a week—also increases.” This is not just a Chinese problem. The same dynamics are playing out elsewhere: the UK Heatwave: Longest Stretch Since 1976 is a testament to how extreme weather is reshaping Europe. And the Weekend Cooldown Won’t Break the Heatwave article highlights the persistence of these patterns.

For China, the implications are dire. The country’s densely populated eastern coast is home to hundreds of millions of people. Urbanization and land reclamation have reduced natural buffers like mangroves and wetlands. And while evacuation systems are improving, the sheer speed of these events tests even the best plans. The Chinese government has pledged to invest more in climate adaptation, but experts say more needs to be done—from building flood-resistant infrastructure to restoring ecosystems.

What This Means for the Region

As Typhoon Prapiroon weakens and moves inland, the focus shifts to recovery. The storm is expected to dissipate over the next 24 hours, but the remnants will continue to bring rain to inland provinces like Anhui and Jiangxi. The risk of secondary disasters—like reservoir dam failures or disease outbreaks in floodwaters—is real. Authorities are already mobilizing medical teams and water purification units.

And then there’s the question of the next storm. The typhoon season in the Western Pacific typically runs from May to October, with peak activity in August. We’re not even at the peak yet. The China Meteorological Administration has warned that this year’s typhoon season could be more active than usual, with up to 10 more storms expected. That means this double-hit might not be the last.

But there is a glimmer of hope. The evacuation of nearly 2 million people without a single confirmed fatality so far is a remarkable achievement. It shows that preparedness works. It also shows that when the stakes are this high, societies can mobilize quickly. The question is whether they can do it again—and again—as the climate continues to change.

In the meantime, residents of Wenzhou are cleaning up. The sun is expected to break through on Friday, but the mud will take weeks to clear. And the memory of two typhoons in a week will take even longer.