BEIJING: According to Chinese state media, at least 15 people have been killed, 275 injured and nine others remain missing after severe floods, landslides and related weather incidents struck several parts of China.
Rescue teams are continuing search operations for the missing as authorities warn that the death toll could rise. Torrential rains have caused rivers to overflow in several cities, submerging roads and bridges, while landslides in mountainous regions have cut off access to multiple villages. Thousands of residents have been evacuated from affected areas to safer locations.
Following an emergency meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping directed relevant government agencies to speed up disaster relief operations, ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured and prioritize the rehabilitation of affected families.
Meanwhile, the impact of Typhoon Mesak has intensified in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. At least two people have been killed and more than 48,000 residents displaced by heavy rainfall and flooding.
Authorities declared a flood emergency in the regional capital, Nanning, after a reservoir dam burst, inundating several residential neighborhoods. Rescue teams used boats to evacuate stranded residents from flooded communities.
China’s Meteorological Department has warned that more heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days, increasing the risk of further flooding and landslides. Residents in low-lying and high-risk areas have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
