Death toll from China rains rises to 22, with 20 still missing

BEIJING: The number of people killed in heavy rain and flooding across central and southern China since the weekend has climbed to 22, while 20 others remain missing, according to state media reports carried on Wednesday.

State-run broadcaster CGTN reported that several parts of the country had been hit by record-breaking rainfall in recent days. The severe weather led to the suspension of classes and work in some areas, while authorities also moved to release relief funds for affected regions.

Natural disasters and extreme weather are a recurring feature in China, especially during the summer months, when some parts of the country face intense downpours while others endure extreme heat.

Deaths and missing reported in several provinces

In the central province of Hunan, five people were reported dead and 11 others were missing, according to the state news agency Xinhua on Wednesday. A Xinhua report issued a day earlier said more than 61,500 people in one county of the province had been affected by the heavy rain, though it did not provide further details.

In Guangxi in southern China, 10 people were confirmed dead on Tuesday after a truck tried to cross a swollen river on Saturday evening and plunged into the water, Xinhua said. The first death linked to that incident had been reported on Sunday.

Heavy rain also struck the nearby province of Guizhou, where four people were killed and five others were reported missing.

In Hubei province in central China, torrential rain triggered flooding that left three people dead and four missing. The flooding also caused some structures to collapse and cut off communications to certain villages.

Relief funds and evacuations

Xinhua reported that government authorities allocated 120 million yuan, equivalent to $17.6 million, in disaster relief funding on Tuesday for five affected regions.

The National Development and Reform Commission also allocated an additional 30 million yuan for Guizhou province, according to Xinhua, which said the province had suffered heavy casualties and property losses.

According to an AFP tally, nearly 24,000 people were evacuated from affected areas in Hunan, Guizhou and Hubei.

More rain expected

Weather forecasts indicate that the region is likely to see continued rainfall in the coming days, raising the risk of further disruption in areas already hit by flooding.

Scientists have warned that extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent and more intense as the planet continues to warm due to fossil fuel emissions.

China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. At the same time, it is also a major producer of renewable energy and has set a target of making its economy carbon-neutral by 2060.