BEIJING: The death toll from devastating flash floods and mudslides in northwest China’s Gansu province has climbed to 13, state media reported on Saturday, with 30 people still missing as rescue operations continue under challenging conditions.
The disaster struck mountainous areas of Gansu on Thursday, sending torrents of mud and water crashing through villages. The toll had stood at 10 on Friday, but rescuers recovered three more bodies as search teams battled blocked roads, severed power lines, and disrupted communications.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged authorities to make the “utmost effort” to find those still missing, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Hundreds have been rescued and thousands evacuated, while officials warn that the rugged terrain and unstable weather are making rescue work “complex.”
State media said about 4,000 people were trapped in the Xinglong area after heavy rain triggered landslides and sent debris spilling onto key roads. Beijing’s top economic planner has allocated 100 million yuan ($14 million) for disaster relief in Gansu.
Meanwhile, authorities have issued a yellow alert for torrential rain in Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, and Chongqing, activating a flood response plan. Southern China’s Guangdong province has also faced mass evacuations after days of heavy downpours.
This latest disaster comes just weeks after 44 people were killed in Beijing’s rural outskirts during severe flooding, and eight more died in a landslide in nearby Hebei province. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing both the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events.
China remains the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases but is also a leader in renewable energy development, underscoring the urgent balance between economic growth and climate resilience.
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