At least eight people have been killed and 275 others injured after powerful thunderstorms, strong winds and tornadoes swept across central China’s Hubei Province.

State media said the severe weather struck several cities, including Huangshi and Huanggang, on Monday, with one person still missing. Authorities also evacuated more than 400 residents to safer locations as emergency response and rescue operations continued.

In southern China, heavy rainfall and flooding triggered by Typhoon Maysak claimed two additional lives in Guangxi and forced the evacuation of at least 48,000 people.

Floodwaters breached reservoir walls and submerged homes, roads and vehicles, while rescue teams used inflatable boats to search for stranded residents.

Scientists have warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, with China continuing to face more frequent flooding, storms and heatwaves in recent years.