BEIJING, July 8 (Alliance News): At least 38 people have been killed and more than 130,000 evacuated after torrential rain, severe flooding and a deadly landslide battered several parts of China, with rescue teams continuing search operations amid warnings of more heavy rainfall.
Authorities said six people died in the southern Guangxi region after Typhoon Maysak triggered widespread flooding, causing dozens of rivers to overflow and a reservoir dam to burst. More than 130,000 residents were evacuated as fast-rising floodwaters inundated communities and damaged nearly 13,000 acres of farmland.
State media reported that floodwaters breached the banks of 40 rivers and waterways, while emergency crews used inflatable boats to rescue stranded residents. The central government dispatched food, raincoats, rubber boats and other emergency relief supplies to affected areas.
China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters maintained its second-highest flood emergency response level in Guangxi, where authorities warned that river levels could rise more than six metres above warning levels.
In central Hubei province, thunderstorms, gale-force winds and tornadoes killed 11 people and injured 331 others. One person remains missing, while nearly 4,800 homes were damaged and 22 collapsed.
Meanwhile, in northwestern Gansu province, the death toll from a landslide in Dangchang County rose to 21 after rescue teams recovered additional victims. Search operations have concluded, while authorities continue investigating the cause of the disaster.
Chinese President Xi Jinping directed rescue agencies to “go all out” in emergency response efforts, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Authorities have allocated 30 million yuan (US$4.4 million) for reconstruction following the landslide as emergency teams continue relief and recovery operations across the affected regions.
