One dead, 3 missing as storm Parma lands in S. China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-12 21:24

HAIKOU: A fisherman was dead and three others missing as tropical storm Parma made a powerful landing in south China's island province of Hainan Monday.

Strong winds and waves triggered by Parma caused a fishing boat to capsize and sink off the coast of Wanning City Monday morning, and all nine people aboard the vessel fell into water, a spokesman with the Hainan Provincial Emergency Response Office said.

By 5 pm, rescuers had retrieved one body and saved five people, but three others are still missing, the spokesman said.

Rescuers are searching the area for the missing people, he said.

Parma made a landfall in Wanning's Longgun Township at 9:50 am Monday, packing winds of up to 54 km per hour, according to the Hainan Provincial Observatory.

The storm is moving northwestward at a speed of 15 km per hour.

The tropical storm brought strong winds and rains to most parts of the province, and local authorities have warned residents against flash floods, landslides and other disasters.

Price hikes of vegetable and seafood have been reported in markets in the provincial capital of Haikou, as suspension of navigation has led to commodity shortages.

In addition to Hainan, Parma brought winds and rains to coastal areas of Guangdong, Fujian and Taiwan provinces.

But the rains in parts of Guangdong have not eased a drought in the province, local authorities said.