Heavy rains in southern China have led to landslides and flash floods, claiming at least nine lives and leaving 15 missing. Fujian and Guangdong provinces are severely affected, with thousands evacuated and widespread power outages. Simultaneously, a heatwave in northern China worsens drought conditions, posing a dual climate challenge for the region.
Heavy rains have struck southern China, triggering landslides and flash floods that have resulted in the deaths of at least nine people, and left 15 others missing. The severe weather began over the weekend and continued into Tuesday, significantly affecting Fujian and Guangdong provinces.
In Fujian’s Wuping County, four fatalities and two missing persons were reported after heavy rains caused landslides, bringing 372.4 millimeters of rainfall within 24 hours. Over 35,000 inhabitants were evacuated in Fujian, with more than 10,000 people relocated in Meizhou, Guangdong.
Torrential rains have led to widespread power outages, affecting 130,000 households in Meizhou. Authorities deployed over 200 rescue teams and at least three helicopters to search for survivors and deliver aid.
The heavy rains have caused 17 waterways in the Han River basin to flood above alert levels, and water levels of five rivers in Chongqing have risen by up to three meters. In southern Guangxi, 23,600 people across ten counties were impacted, resulting in direct economic losses estimated at 10.2 million yuan.
Meanwhile, northern China is experiencing a severe heatwave, leading to droughts that prompted the Ministry of Finance to allocate funds for agricultural relief efforts. This dual climate challenge underscores the broader environmental volatility affecting the region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged the casualties and highlighted the challenges of flood control during the annual flood season. The National Meteorological Administration has issued continued alerts for rainstorms and potential landslides in the southern regions.
