Severe weather, including hail, strong winds and heavy rain, has struck multiple areas in east China's Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, damaging homes, crops and power lines.
Parts of Yichun, Fuzhou and Jingdezhen in Jiangxi have been hit by hailstorms since Thursday as a result of the latest round of severe convective weather, with hailstones reaching up to 5 cm in diameter.
In addition to hail, strong winds and torrential rains have also disrupted residents' daily lives.
In Fangxi Town of Yifeng County in Yichun, strong gales tore off suspended ceilings in some homes, knocked down wall panels and overturned furniture. Immediately after the disaster, local authorities launched emergency response and rescue operations.
In the urban area of Wanzai County, some road sections were flooded, disrupting traffic. Local departments quickly carried out sludge removal and drainage work to ensure safe transportation.
The meteorological department in Jiangxi forecasts two additional rounds of rainfall between Sunday through April 13, and again from April 15 to 16.
With frequent rainfalls expected in April, authorities are urging continued vigilance against the impact of severe convective weather and secondary disasters triggered by heavy rain.
At around 18:00 on Friday, Guangze County in Nanping City, Fujian Province, was hit by a sudden bout of severe convective weather including strong winds, heavy rain, and hail.
The weather damaged some residential houses and crops, and knocked out several power distribution lines, disrupting electricity supply to residents.
In Shaguan Village of Zhima Town, heavy hail accompanied by fierce winds and torrential rain fell, with hailstones measuring up to 4 cm in diameter.
According to local meteorological statistics, from 18:00 to midnight Friday, six-hour cumulative rainfall reached 117.3 mm, classified as extremely heavy rain.
The severe weather caused significant losses to local crops, particularly tea leaves and fruit saplings in their growing stages. Newly planted taro seedlings were damaged while mushroom greenhouses were toppled by strong winds. Following the disaster, relevant departments immediately carried out cleanup and recovery efforts.
In addition, strong winds downed several power lines. Emergency repair crews worked overnight, and all damaged lines have been fully restored, with normal electricity supply resumed.
Rainstorm, hailstorm lash Jiangxi, Fujian, triggering emergency responses
A member of the Political Bureau of Ansar Allah (the Houthi military group) on Thursday warned of an escalation in conflicts in the Middle East as Israel continued to carry out deadly strikes in Lebanon.
Talking to China Global Television Network (CGTN), Houthi political bureau member Ali Al-Dailami emphasized the group's support for other members of the Iran-led "Axis of Resistance," a regional coalition committed to countering Israel and includes militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
"Coordination within the 'Axis of Resistance' is ongoing, especially since we are talking about American and Zionist hegemony, and this axis is based on resisting imperialism and resisting the Zionist occupation, so it continues. This coordination has already appeared in many moves, most recently what was announced by the military spokesperson Yahya Saree regarding joint operations between Iran, Hezbollah, and Yemen," said Al-Dailami.
"We are with the Islamic Republic of Iran, we are with the resistance, we are with Lebanon, we are with Palestine. This is a principled stance we cannot waver from, and it is also considered a red line. And this red line -- whoever tries to cross it, we will certainly confirm the other direction, which is the direction of the resistance: with Lebanon, with Palestine, with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with Iraq, and with all who resist American imperialism and Zionist occupation," said the official.
His remarks echoed the statement by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who said on Thursday that military operations would escalate in the coming period, warning of potential "surprise actions" in line with developments on the ground.
In a televised speech broadcast by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi indicated that the group's campaign would enter a new phase marked by intensified activity and evolving tactics.
The Houthi leader highlighted his group's military role within what he described as coordinated regional efforts, stating that the Yemeni front had contributed to "joint operations with the Axis of Resistance," including missile and drone strikes targeting Israel.
A two-week ceasefire was announced early Wednesday by the United States and Iran. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would comply with the truce but would continue military operations in Lebanon.
Prior to the ceasefire, the Houthis had launched missile and drone attacks against Israel starting on March 28 -- one month after the United States and Israel launched the current massive attacks on Iran -- in what they described as support for allied forces in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.
The group, which has controlled Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since late 2014, previously supported Iran during last year's 12-day conflict with the United States and Israel.
Houthi official warns of military escalation amid regional tensions
