Torrential rain and severe flooding have battered several regions in China, resulting in at least 12 fatalities and the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, according to state media reports.
Hunan Province Hit Hard
State broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday that five people have died and 11 others are missing in Shimen County, located in the central province of Hunan, following relentless downpours. Rescue operations are currently underway. By Tuesday evening, more than 19,000 individuals had been relocated to safer areas, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency.
Xinhua noted that Shimen County recorded a cumulative rainfall of 339 millimeters (approximately 13 inches) within a 24-hour period ending at 7 a.m. on Monday. One township experienced 240 millimeters (about 9 inches) of rain in just a few hours, breaking historical records.
Hubei Province Under Water
In the adjacent Hubei province, streets were transformed into rivers, prompting rescuers to deploy inflatable boats to assist stranded residents. Numerous homes were either flooded or collapsed, according to Xinhua. As of Tuesday morning, three people had been confirmed dead and four others were missing.
Guizhou Province Also Affected
CCTV reported on Tuesday that heavy rain and floods have caused four deaths and left five others missing in Guizhou Province, located in southwestern China. The flooding has inundated houses, damaged roads, and disrupted communications in some areas. One locality had to relocate more than 3,700 people, Xinhua added.
Separate Incident in Guangxi
In a separate incident, 10 people lost their lives after a pickup truck plunged off a bridge in the southern Guangxi region on Saturday, as reported by Xinhua.
