Continuous heavy rain since 7/8 triggered flash floods in Gansu province in northwest China, resulting in 10 deaths and 33 people missing as of Tuesday afternoon, according to China Central Television (CCTV). Local authorities issued the highest-level emergency warning for flash floods overnight.
The heavy rain trapped 4,000 residents in the Xinglong mountain area and caused debris to spill onto the roads. Three people are missing after a mudslide in one village.
Videos and images published by Chinese media show dozens of rescuers clinging to ropes to navigate through muddy water, with roads covered in mud and large rocks. The local meteorological agency predicts continued rain in several locations, including areas near the Yellow River, China's second-largest river.
President Xi Jinping ordered an "all-out effort" to rescue those missing. Due to "frequently occurring extreme weather conditions," Xi urged all regions to "resolutely overcome complacency" and intensify efforts to identify risks.
Chinese authorities announced the allocation of 100 million CNY (14 million USD) for disaster relief in Gansu province.
Meanwhile, southern China also experienced heavy rain this week, flooding residential areas and forcing tens of thousands of people across Guangdong province to evacuate. CCTV reported Tuesday that all seven people missing after a landslide in the province have been found dead.
Beijing also allocated 100 million CNY for rescue and relief work in Guangdong.
Natural disasters are common in China, especially during the summer, when some areas experience torrential rain while others face intense heat.
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Residents clean up after the rain stops in Guangdong province on 8/8. Photo: AFP |
44 people died due to heavy rain north of Beijing last month, with rural areas on the outskirts being the hardest hit. Eight others died in a landslide in a village in Hebei, the province surrounding the capital.
Scientists warn that extreme weather events will become more frequent and intense as the Earth continues to warm due to fossil fuel emissions. China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, but it is also a renewable energy powerhouse aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Pham Giang (According to AFP, CCTV)
