Severe Storms Result in Multiple Fatalities and Widespread Damage
The death toll from severe storms in parts of China rose to 15 on Tuesday, with hundreds more injured and tens of thousands evacuated, according to state media. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for an "all out" rescue effort to aid those affected by the extreme weather conditions.
Thunderstorms and gale-force winds caused at least 11 deaths and injured 331 individuals in the central province of Hubei, where "severe convective weather" impacted several cities. Tornadoes were also reported in other areas late Monday, as stated by the state news agency Xinhua.
Xinhua further reported that 4,800 houses sustained damage and 22 additional houses collapsed due to the storms.
“This episode of severe convective weather was characterised by its sudden onset and intense, short-duration winds,”the agency added.
In the southern region of Guangxi, heavy rains and severe flooding forced the evacuation of at least 50,000 people, with eight individuals still reported missing. Officials in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, elevated the flood control emergency response to the highest level after torrential rains caused dams to breach.
Dramatic footage shared by state media depicted a torrent of muddy water rushing past the collapsed concrete walls of a reservoir dam that had burst.
On Tuesday, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of rescue operations, urging that efforts be maximized. State media reported Xi’s directive for rescuers to "go all out" in organizing emergency response activities.
Rescue workers equipped with life vests and helmets were seen searching for survivors, with some deployed on inflatable boats, according to state media footage.
Landslide in Gansu Province Buries Dozens
On Tuesday morning, a landslide in a village in the north-western province of Gansu buried 33 people in a separate incident. CCTV reported that 17 of those trapped were "successfully rescued," though the cause of the landslide was not specified.
Local authorities are reportedly making every effort to locate those still trapped, properly relocate and settle affected residents, and strictly guard against secondary disasters.
Context of Natural Disasters in China and Climate Concerns
Natural disasters are common in China, particularly during the summer months when some regions experience intense rainfall while others endure extreme heat. Scientists warn that the intensity and frequency of global extreme weather events are expected to increase as the planet continues to warm due to fossil fuel emissions.
In May, at least 22 people were killed in China following heavy rains that affected central and southern regions, with some areas experiencing record-breaking rainfall, according to state media reports.
