Torrential Rain and Flooding in China’s Hunan Province Claim Lives and Displace Thousands
Torrential rain and flooding in China’s Hunan province have resulted in four deaths, mass evacuations, and significant infrastructure damage as remnants of Typhoon Gaemi continue to impact the region.
China, Bollywood Fever: Torrential rain and flooding in China’s southern Hunan province have claimed four lives and prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents, according to Chinese state media on Tuesday. The extreme weather is the result of remnants from the now-weakened Typhoon Gaemi, which continues to lash the region.
Hunan province has been particularly hard-hit by several days of heavy rain, breaching major dikes and dams, and flooding extensive areas of cropland. State media reports that in Zixing county alone, nearly 90,000 people have been affected by the severe weather. The floods have damaged approximately 1,400 homes and caused the collapse of about 1,300 roads, leaving several villages without power.
Meteorological experts attribute the heavy rain and high humidity to the combination of the downgraded typhoon’s weather system and a southwest monsoon. Over the past two days, the heavy rainfall has caused the Juanshui river levels to rise, breaching three dikes. Xinhua news agency reported that one of these breaches was successfully sealed on Monday.
The Juanshui river flows into the Xiangjiang river, a major tributary of the Yangtze River, which has experienced record-high flooding in certain areas, according to People’s Daily. The extreme weather has further exacerbated the already critical situation, with substantial flooding across multiple provinces.
On Sunday, a rain-triggered landslide in Hunan resulted in the deaths of 15 people, as houses were washed away. Heavy rains have also impacted several other provinces, prompting the issuance of warnings and the enforcement of emergency planning.
In response to the flooding crisis, China’s government convened last week to discuss measures to combat the effects of the heavy rains. The government has released at least 6.67 billion yuan ($918 million) in emergency disaster relief funds to support affected regions, according to Reuters calculations.
As rescue and relief efforts continue, the focus remains on mitigating further damage and ensuring the safety of the affected populations. The ongoing severe weather underscores the need for robust emergency preparedness and response mechanisms to handle natural disasters of this magnitude.
Also Read Other Articles, Jon Stewart Highlights Right-Wing Struggle to Attack Kamala Harris with Racist, Sexist Tropes
Tragic Landslides in Kerala Claim 19 Lives, Hamper Rescue Efforts Amid Heavy Rains
Brazilian Swimmer Sent Home from Olympics After Breaking Protocol for Night Out
